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Sir Walter Scott. 



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Lihesucy of Congress 
Two CoPttS REttKEO 

SEP 4 1900 

Copyright entry 

SECOND COPY, 

OHivtrarf to 

ORD£« 01VSI0N, 
SEP 5 I90U 



T1^-?31 



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COPY'RIGHT, 1900, BY W. B. CONKEY COMPANY. 



74180 



5^ 



MARMION: 

A 

TALE OF FLODDEN FIELD. 

A POEM, 

IN SIX CANTOS. 



Alas! that Scottish Maid should sinir 
The combat where her lover fell' 
SS.^ ^^9"^^\^^rd should wake the string. 
The triumph of our foes to tell !-Ley den 



MARMION. 



INTRODUCTION TO CANTO FIRST. 



TO WILLIAM STEWART ROSE, ESQ. 

Ashestiel, Ettricke Forest 

November's sky is chill and drear, 

November's leaf is red and sear: 

Late, gazing down the steepy linn, 

That hems our little garden in, 

Low in its dark and narrow glen, 

You scarce the rivulet might ken, 

So thick the tangled green-wood grew. 

So feeble trilled the streamlet through : 

Now, murmuring hoarse, and frequent seen 

Through bush and brier, no longer green, 

An angry brook, it sweeps the glade, 

Brawls over rock and wild cascade, 

And, foaming brown with double speed, 

Hurries its waters to the Tweed. 

No longer Autumn's glowing red 
Upon our Forest hills is shed; 
No more, beneath the evening beam. 
Fair Tweed reflects their purple gleam ; 
Away hath passed the heather-bell, 

5 



6 MARMION. 

That bloomed so rich on Needpath-f ell ; 
Sallow his brow, and russet bare 
Are now the sister-heights of Yair, 
The sheep, before the pinching heaven, 
To sheltered dale and down are driven, 
Where yet some faded herbage pines, 
And yet a watery sunbeam shines: 
In meek despondency they eye 
The withered sward and wintery sky, 
And far beneath their summer hill, 
Stray sadly by Glenkinnon's rill: 
The shepherd shifts his mantle's fold, 
And wraps him closer from the cold ; 
His dogs no merry circles wheel, 
But, shivering, follow at his heel ; 
A cowering glance they often cast, 
As deeper moans the gathering blast. 

My imps, though hardy, bold, and wild. 
As best befits the mountain child, 
Feel the sad influence of the hour. 
And wail the daisy's vanished flower; 
Their summer gambols tell, and mourn, 
And anxious ask, — Will spring return. 
And birds and lambs again be gay, 
And blossoms clothe the hawthorn spray? 

Yes, prattlers, yes. The daisy's flower 
Again shall paint your summer bower; 
Again the hawthorn shall supply 
The garlands you delight to tie; 
The lambs upon the lea shall bound. 
The wild birds carol to the round, 
And while you frolic light as they. 
Too short shall seem the summer day. 



MARMION. 7 

To mute and to material things, 
New life revolving summer brings ; 
The genial call dead Nature hears, 
And in her glory reappears. 
But oh! my country's wintry state 
What second spring shall renovate? 
What powerful call shall bid arise 
The buried warlike, and the wise? 
The mind, that thought for Britain's weal. 
The hand, that grasped the victor steel? 
The vernal sun new life bestows 
Even on the meanest flower that blows ; 
But vainly, vainly, may he shine, 
Where glory weeps o*er Nelson's shrine; 
And vainly pierce the solemn gloom. 
That shrouds, O Pitt, thy hallowed tomb! 

Deep graved in every British heart, 
O never let those names depart! 
Say to your sons, — Lo, here his grave, 
Who victor died on Gadite wave; 
To him, as to the burning levin. 
Short, bright, resistless course was given; 
Where'er his country's foes were found. 
Was heard the fated thunder's sound. 
Till burst the bolt on yonder shore. 
Rolled, blazed, destroyed, — and was no more. 

Nor mourn ye less his perished worth. 
Who bade the conqueror go forth, 
And launched that thunderbolt of war 
On Egypt, Hafnia, Trafalgar; 
Who, born to guide such high emprize. 
For Britain's weal was early wise: 



8 MARMION. 

Alas! to whom the Almighty gave, 
For Britain's sins, an early grave; 
His worth, who, in his mightiest hour, 
A bauble held the pride of power, 
Spurned at the sordid lust of pelf, 
And served his Albion for herself ; 
Who, when the frantic crowd amain 
Strained at subjection's bursting rein, 
O'er their wild mood full conquest gained. 
The pride, he would not crush, restrained. 
Showed their fierce zeal and worthier cause, 
And brought the freeman's arm to aid the free- 
man's laws. 

Hadst thou but lived, though stripped of 
power, 
A watchman on the lonely tower. 
Thy thrilling trumpet had roused the land, 
When fraud or danger were at hand; 
By thee ; as by the beacon-light. 
Our pilots had kept course aright ; 
As some proud column, though alone, 
Thy strength had propped the tottering throne. 
Now is the stately column broke. 
The beacon-light is quenched in smoke. 
The trumpet's silver sound is still, 
The warder silent on the hill! 

Oh, think, how to his latest day. 
When death, just hovering, claimed his prey, 
With Palinure's unaltered mood. 
Firm, at his dangerous post he stood; 
Each call for needful rest repelled, 
With dying hand the rudder held. 



MARMION. 

Till, in his fall, with fateful sway. 
The steerage of the realm gave way! 
Then, while on Britain's thousand plains, 
One unpolluted church remains. 
Whose peaceful bells ne'er sent around 
The bloody tocsin's maddening sound. 
But still, upon the hallowed day, 
Convoke the swains to praise and pray; 
While faith and civil peace are dear, 
Grace this cold marble with a tear, — 
He, who preserved them, Pitt, lies here! 

Nor yet suppress the generous sigh. 
Because his Rival slumbers nigh ; 
Nor be thy requisescat dumb. 
Lest it be said o'er Fox's tomb. 
For talents mourn, untimely lost, 
When best employed, and wanted most ; 
Mourn genius high, and lore profound. 
And wit that loved to play, not wound; 
And all the reasoning powers divine. 
To penetrate, resolve, combine ; 
And feelings keen, and fancy's glow, — 
They sleep with him who sleeps below; 
And, if thou mourn 'st they could not save 
From error him who owns this grave. 
Be every harsher thought suppressed, 
And sacred be the last long rest! 
Here, where the end of earthly things 
Lays heroes, patriots, bards and kings; 
Where stiff the hand, and still the tongue. 
Of those who fought, and spoke, and sung; 
Here where the fretted aisles prolong 
The distant note of holy song. 



10 MARMION. 



As if some angel spoke agen, 
All peace on earth, good-will to men; 
If ever from an English heart, 
O here let prejudice depart, 
And, partial feeling cast aside, 
Record that Fox a Briton died ! 
When Europe crouched to France's yoke, 
And Austria bent, and Prussia broke, 
And the firm Russian's purpose brave 
Was bartered by a timorous slave, 
Even then dishonor's peace he spurned, 
The sullied olive-branch returned, 
Stood for his country's glory fast. 
And nailed her colors to the mast. 
Heaven, to reward his firmness, gave 
A portion in this honored grave; 
And ne'er held marble in its trust 
Of two such wondrous men the dust. 

With more than mortal powers endowed, 
How high they soared above the crowd ! 
Theirs was no common party race. 
Jostling by dark intrigue for place; 
Like fabled Gods, their mighty war 
Shook realms and nations in its jar; 
Beneath each banner proud to stand, 
Looked up the noblest of the land, 
Till through the British world were known 
The names of Pitt and Fox alone. 
Spells of such force no wizard grave 
E'er framed in dark Thessalian cave, 
Though his could drain the ocean dry. 
And force the planets from the sky. 
These spells are spent, and, spent with these, 



MARMION. 11 

The wine of life is on the lees. 

Genius, and taste, and talent gone, 

Forever tombed beneath the stone, 

Where, — taming thought to human pride! — 

The mighty chiefs sleep side by side. 

Drop upon Fox*s grave the tear, 

'Twill trickle to his rival's bier; 

O'er Pitt's the mournful requiem sound, 

And Fox's shall the notes rebound. 

The solemn echo seems to cry, — 

**Here let their discord with them die; 

** Speak not for those a separate doom, 

**Whom Fate made brothers in the tomb, 

**But search the land of living men, 

** Where wilt thou find their like agen?" 

Rest, ardent Spirits! till the cries 
Of dying Nature bid you rise ; 
Not even your Britain's groans can pierce 
The leaden silence of your hearse : 
Then, O how impotent and vain 
This grateful tributary strain ! 
Though not unmarked from northern clime, 
Ye heard the Border Minstrel's rhyme: 
His Gothic harp has o'er you rung; 
The bard you deigned to praise, your deathless 
names has sung. 

Stay yet, illusion, stay awhile. 
My wildered fancy still beguile ! 
From this high theme how can I part, 
Ere half unloaded is my heart! 
For all the tears e'er sorrow drew. 
And all the raptures fancy knew, 



12 MARMION. 

And all the keener rush of blood, 
That throbs through bard in bard-like mood, 
Were here a tribute mean and low, 
Though all their mingled streams could flow- 
Woe, wonder, and sensation high, 
In one spring- tide of ecstasy. — 
It will not be — it may not last — 
The vision of enchantment's past, 
Like frost-work in the morning ray, 
The fancied fabric melts away; 
Each Gothic arch, memorial stone. 
And long, dim, lofty aisle are gone. 
And, lingering last, deception dear, 
The choir's high sounds die on my ear. 
Now slow return the lonely down, 
The silent pastures bleak and brown. 
The farm begirt with copse-wood wild, 
The gambols of each frolic child. 
Mixing their shrill cries with the tone 
Of Tweed's dark waters rushing on. 

Prompt on unequal tasks to run, 
Thus Nature disciplines her son: 
Meeter, she says, for me to stay, 
And waste the solitary day. 
In plucking from yon fen the reed, 
And watching it float down the Tweed ; 
Or idly list the shrilling lay 
With which the milk-maid cheers her way. 
Marking its cadence rise and fail. 
As from the field, beneath her pail, 
She trips it down the uneven dale; 
Meeter for me, by yonder cairn. 
The ancient shepherd's tale to learn 



MARMION. 13 

Though oft he stop in rustic fear, 
Lest his old legends tire the ear 
Of one, who, in his simple mind, 
May boast of book-learned taste refined. 

But thou, my friend, canst fitly tell, 
(For few have read romance so well) 
How still the legendary lay 
O'er poet's bosom holds its sway; 
How on the ancient minstrel strain 
Time lays his palsied hand in vain ; 
And how our hearts at doughty deeds, 
By warriors wrought in steely weeds, 
Still throb for fear and pity's sake: 
As when the Champion of the Lake 
Enters Morgana's fated house, 
Or in the Chapel Perilous, 
Despising spells and demons' force. 
Holds converse with the unburied corse, 
Or, when. Dame Ganore's grace to move 
(Alas! that lawless was their love) 
He sought proud Tarquin in his den. 
And freed full sixty knights; or when, 
A sinful man, and unconfessed. 
He took the Sangreal's holy quest. 
And, slumbering, saw the vision high. 
He might not view with waking eye. 

The mightiest chiefs of British song 
Scorned not such legends to prolong; 
They gleam through Spenser's elfin dream, 
And mix in Milton's heavenly theme; 
And Dryden, in immortal strain. 
Had raised the Table Round again, 



14 MARMION. 

But that a ribald king and court 
Bade him toil on, to make them sport ; 
Demanded for their niggard pay, 
Fit for their souls, a looser lay, 
Licentious satire, song, and play; 
The world defrauded of the high design, 
Profaned the God-given strength, and marred 
the lofty line. 

Warned by such names, well may we then, 
Though dwindled sons of little men, 
Essay to break a feeble lance 
In the fair fields of old romance ; 
Or seek the moated castle's cell. 
Where long through talisman and spell, 
While tyrants ruled, and damsels wept. 
Thy Genius, Chivalry, hath slept : 
There sound the harpings of the North, 
Till he awake and sally forth. 
On venturous quest to prick again. 
In all his arms, with all his train, 
Shield, lance, and brand, and plume, and 

scarf. 
Fay, giant, dragon, squire, and dwarf. 
And wizzard with his wand of might, 
And errant maid on palfrey white. 
Around the Genius weave their spells. 
Pure Love, who scarce his passion tells; 
Mystery, half veiled and half revealed; 
And Honor with his spotless shield ; 
Attention, with fixed eye ; and Fear, 
That loves the tale she shrinks to hear, 
And gentle Courtesy; and Faith, 
Unchanged by sufferings, time, or death; 



MARMION. 15 

And Valor, lion-mettled lord, 
Leaning upon his own good sword. 

Well has thy fair achievement shown, 
A worthy meed may thus be won; 
Ytene' soaks — beneath whose shade 
Their theme the merry minstrels made, 
Of Ascapart, and Bevis bold, 
And that Red King, who, while of old 
Through Boldrewood the chase he led. 
By his loved huntsman^s arrow bled — 
Ytene 's oaks have heard again 
Renewed such legendary strain; 
For thou hast sung, how He of Gaul, 
That Amadis so famed in hall. 
For Oriana, foiled in fi^ht 
The Necromancer's felon might; 
And well in modern verse hast wove 
Partenopex's mystic love; 
Hear then, attentive to my lay, 
A knightly tale of Albion's elder day. 



16 MARMION. 



CANTO FIRST. 

THE CASTLE. 



Day set on Norham's castled steep, 
And Tweed's fair river, broad and deep, 

And Cheviot's mountains lone: 
The battled towers, the Donjon Keep, 
The loop-hole grates where captives weep, 
The flanking walls that round it sweep. 

In yellow lustre shone. 
The warriors on the turrets high. 
Moving athwart the evening sky, 

Seemed forms of giant height: 
Their armor, as it caught the rays, 
Flashed back again the western blaze, 

In lines of dazzling light. 

II. 

St. George's banner, broad and gay. 
Now faded, as the fading ray. 

Less bright, and less, was flung ; 
The evening gale had scarce the power 
To wave it on the Donjon tower. 

So heavily it hung. 
The scouts had parted on their search, 

The castle gates were barred; 
Above the gloomy portal arch, 



I 



MARMION. 17 

Timing his footsteps to a march, 

The warder kept his guard, 
Low humming, as he paced along, 
Some ancient Border gathering song. 

III. 

A distant trampling sound he hears; 
He looks abroad, and soon appears, 
O'er Horn-cliff-hill, a plump of spears, 

Beneath a pennon gay ; 
A horseman darting from the crowd, 
Like lightning from a summer cloud, 
Spurs on his mettled courser proud, 

Before the dark array. 
Beneath the sable palisade, * 

That closed the castle barricade, 

His bugle-horn he blew; 
The warder hasted from the wall, 
And warned the Captain in the hall, 

For well the blast he knew ; 
And joyfully that knight did call, 
To sewer, squire, and seneschal. 

IV. 

**Now, broach ye a pipe of Malvoisie, 

Bring pasties of the doe. 
And quickly make the entrance free. 
And bid my herald ready be, 
And every minstrel sound his glee, 

And all our trumpets blow; 
And, from the platform, spare he not 
To fire a noble salvo-shot : 

Lord Marmion waits below.** — 
Then to the Castle's lower ward 

2 Marmion 



18 MARMION 

Sped forty yeomen tall, 
The iron-studded gates unbarred, 
Raised the portcullis* ponderous guard, 
The loft palisade unsparred, 

And let the drawbridge fall. 



Along the bridge Lord Marmion rode. 

Proudly his red-roan charger trod, 

His helm hung at the saddle-bow ; 

Well, by his visage, you might know 

He was a stalwart knight, and keen. 

And had in many a battle been ; 

The scar on his brown cheek revealed 

A token true of Bosworth field, 

His eyebrow dark and eye of fire. 

Showed spirit proud, and prompt to ire ; 

Yet lines of thought upon his cheek, 

Did deep design and counsel speak. 
His forehead, by his casque worn bare, 
His thick moustache, and curly hair, 
Coal-black, and grizzled here and there, 

But more through toil than age ; 
His square-turned joints, and strength of 

limb. 
Showed him no carpet knight so trim, 
But, in close fight, a champion grim, - 
In camps, a leader sage. 

VI. 

Well was he armed from head to heel. 
In mail, and plate, of Milan steel, 
But his strong helm, of mighty cost. 
Was all with burnished gold embossed; 



MARMION. 19 

Amid the plumage of the crest, 

A falcon hovered on her nest, 

With wings outspread, and forward breast; 

E*en such a falcon, on his shield, 

Soared sable in an azure field : 

The golden legend bore aright, 

*'Who checks at me,, t^.ltieath is dight. 

Blue was the charger^s broidered rein; .?. 

Blue ribbons decked his arching mane; 

The knightly housing's ample fold 

Was velvet blue, and trapped with gold. 

VII. 

Behind him rode two gallant squires, 
Of noble name, and knightly sires; 
They burned the gilded spurs to claim ; 
For well could each a war-horse tame. 
Could draw the bow, the sword could sway. 
And lightly bear the ring away; 
Nor less with courteous precepts stored, 
Could dance in hall, and carve at board, 
And frame love ditties passing rare, 
And sing them to a lady fair. 

VIII. 

Four men-at-arms came at their backs, 

Witli halberd, bill, and battle-axe : 

They bore Lord Marmion's lance so strong, 

And led his sumpter mules along, 

And ambling palfrey, when at need 

Him listed ease his battle-steed. 

The last, and trustiest of the four. 

On high his forky pennon bore ; 

Like swallow's tail, in shape and hue, 



20 MARMION. 

Fluttered the streamer glossy blue, 
Where, blazoned sable, as before, 
The towering falcon seemed to soar. 
Last, twenty yeomen, two and two, 
In hosen black, and jerkins blue, 
With falcons broidered on each breast, 
Attended on their lord's behest. 
Each, chosen for an archer good. 
Knew hunting-craft by lake or wood; 
Each one a six-foot bow could bend. 
And far a cloth-yard shaft could send ; 
Each held a boar-spear tough and strong, 
And at their belts their quivers rung. 
Their dusty palfreys, and array, 
Showed they had marched a weary way^ 

IX. 

'Tis meet that I should tell you now. 
How fairly armed and ordered how. 

The soldiers of the guard. 
With musket, pike, and morion. 
To welcome noble Marmion, 

Stood in the Castle-yard ; 
Minstrels and trumpeters were there. 
The gunner held his linstock yare, 

For welcome-shot prepared — 
Entered the train, and such a clang, 
As then through all his turrets rang, 

Old Norham never heard. 



The guards their morrice-pikes advanced, 

The trumpets flourished brave. 
The cannon from the ramparts glanced, 



MARMION. 21 

And thundering welcome gave; 
A blithe salute, in martial sort, 

The minstrels well might sound, 
For, as Lord Marmion crossed the court, 

He scattered angels round. 
**Welcome to Norham, Marmion! 

Stout heart and open hand ! 
Well dost thou brook thy gallant roan, 

Thou flower of English land!"— 

XI. 

Two pursuivants, whom tabards deck, 
With silver scutcheon round their neck, 

Stood on the steps of stone. 
By which you reach the Donjon gate. 
And there, with herald pomp and state, 

They hailed Lord Marmion : 
They hailed him Lord of Fontenaye, 
Of Lutterward, and Scrivelbaye, 

Of Tamworth tower and town ; 
And he, their courtesy to requite, 
Gave them a chain of twelve marks' weight. 

All as he lighted down. 
**Now largesse, largesse. Lord Marmion, 

Knight of the crest of gold ! 
A blazoned shield, in battle won, 

Ne'er guarded heart so bold." — 

XII. 

They marshalled him to the Castle-hall, 

Where the guests stood all aside, 
And loudly flourished the trumpet-call, 

And the heralds loudly cried, 
**Room, lordlings, room for Lord Marmion, 



22 MARMION. 

With the crest and helm of gold! 
Full well we know the trophies won 

In the lists at Cottiswold: 
There, vainly Ralph de Wilton strove 

Gainst Marmion's force to stand; 
To him he lost his ladye-love, 

And to the king his land. 
Ourselves beheld the listed field, 

A sight both sad and fair; 
We saw Lord Marmion pierce his shield, 

And saw his saddle bare ; 
We saw the victor win the crest 

He wears with worthy pride; 
And on the gibbet-tree, reversed, 

His foeman's scutcheon tied. 
Place, nobles, for the Falcon-Knight! 

Room, room, ye gentles gay, 
For him who conquered in the right, 

Marmion of Fontenaye ! ' * — 

XIII. 

Then stepped to meet that noble lord, 

Sir Hugh the Heron bold. 
Baron of Twisell, and of Ford, 

And Captain of the Hold. 
He led Lord Marmion to the deas, 

Raised o'er the pavement high. 
And placed him in the upper place — 

They feasted full and high ; 
The whiles a Northern harper rude 
Chanted a rhyme of deadly feud, 

'*How the fierce Thirwalls, and Ridleys all, 
Stout Willimondswick, 
And Hard-riding Dick, 



MARMION. 23 

And Hughie of Hawdon, and Will o* the 
Wall, 
Have set on Sir Albany Featherstonhaugh, 
And taken his life at the Deadman's-shaw." 
Scantly Lord Marmion's ear could brook 

The harper's barbarous lay; 
Yet much he praised the pains he took, 
And well those pains did pay: 
For lady's suit, and minstrel's strain, 
By knight should ne'er be heard in vain. 

XIV. 

**Now, good Lord Marmion," Heron says, 

**Of your fair courtesy, 
I pray you bide some little space, - 

In this poor tower with me. 
Here you may keep your arms from rust, 

May breathe your war-horse well ; 
Seldom hath past a week, but giust 

Or feat of arms befell : 
The Scots can rein a mettled steed, 

And love to couch a spear; — 
St. George! a stirring life they lead. 

That have such neighbors near: 
Then stay with us a little space, 

Our northern wars to learn ; 
I pray you for your lady's grace." — 

Lord Marmion's brow grew stern. 

XV. 

The Captain marked his altered look. 

And gave a squire the sign : 
A mighty wassel bowl he took, 

And crowned it high with wine. 



24 MARMION. 

'*Now pledge me here, Lord Marmion: 

But first I pray thee fair, 
Where hast thou left that Page of thine, 
That used to serve thy cup of wine, 

Whose beauty was so rare? 
When last in Raby towers we met. 

The boy I closely eyed, 
And often marked his cheeks were wet, 

With tears he fain would hide : 
His was no rugged horse-boy's hand. 
To burnish shield, or sharpen brand. 

Or saddle battle-steed ; 
But meeter seemed for lady fair, 
To fan her cheek, or curl her hair. 
Or through embroidery, rich and rare, 

The slender silk to lead : 
His skin was fair, his ringlets gold, 

His bosom — when he sighed, 
The russet doublet's rugged fold 

Could scarce repel its pride ! 
Say, hast thou given that lovely youth 

To serve in lady's bower? 
Or was the gentle page, in sooth, 

A gentle paramour?" — 

XVI. 

Lord Marmion ill could brook such jest; 

He rolled his kindling eye, 
With pain his rising wrath suppressed, 

Yet made a calm reply: 

**That boy thou thought'st so goodly fair, 

He might not brook the northern air. 
More of his fate if thou wouldst learn, 

I left him sick in Lindisf arn : 



M ARM ION. 25 

Enough of him. But, Heron, say, 
Why dost thy lovely lady gay 
Disdain to grace the Hall to-day? 
Or has that dame, so fair and sage, 
Gone on some pious pilgrimage?" — 
He spoke in covert scorn, for fame 
Whispered light tales of Heron's dame. 

XVII. 

Unmarked, at least unrecked. the taunt, 

Careless the Knight replied, 
**No bird, whose feathers gaily flaunt, 

Delights in cage to bide ; 
Noiham is grim, and grated close. 
Hemmed in by battlement and fosse 

And many a darksome tower; 
And better loves my lady bright 
To sit in liberty and light. 

In fair Queen Margaret's bower. 
We hold our greyhound in our hand, 

Our falcon on our glove; 
But where shall we find leash or band 

For dame that loves to rove? 
Let the wild falcon soar her swing. 
She'll stoop when she has tired her wing." 

XVIII. 

**Nay, if with Royal James's bride 

The lovely Lady Heron bide. 

Behold me here a messenger. 

Your tender greetings prompt to bear; 

For, to the Scottish court addressed, 

I journey at our king's behest, 

And pray you, of your grace, provide 



26 MARMION. 

For me, and mine, a trusty guide. 

I have not ridden in Scotland since 

James backed the cause of that mock prince, 

Warbeck, that Flemish counterfeit. 

Who on the gibbet paid the cheat. 

Then did I march with Surrey's power, 

What time we razed old Ay ton tower/* — 

XIX. 

*'For such-like need, my lord, I trow, 
Norham can find you guides enow ; 
For here be some have pricked as far 
On Scottish ground, as to Dunbar; 
Have drunk the monks of St. Bothan's ale, 
And driven the beeves of Lauderdale ; 
Harried the wives of Greenlaw's goods, 
And given them light to set their hoods." — 

XX. 

**Now, in good sooth," Lord Marmion cried, 

**Were I in warlike- wise to ride, 

A better guard I would not lack. 

Than your stout foray ers at my back: 

But, as in form of peace I go, 

A friendly messenger, to know. 

Why through all Scotland, near and far, 

Their king is mustering troops for war, 

The sight of plundering Border spears 

Might justify suspicious fears. 

And deadly feud, or thirst of spoil, 

Break out in some unseemly broil: 

A herald were my fitting guide ; 

Or friar, sworn in peace to bide; 



MARMION. 27 

Or pardoner, or traveling priest, 
Or strolling pilgrim, at the least. ' ' — 

XXI. 

The Captain mused a little space, 

And passed his hand across his face. 

— *'Fain would I find the guide you want, 

But ill may spare a pursuivant, 

The only men that safe can ride 

Mine errands on the Scottish side. 

Then, though a bishop built this fort, 

Few holy brethren here resort ; 

Even our good chaplain, as I ween. 

Since our last siege, we have not seen: 

The mass he might not sing or say, 

Upon one stinted meal a day ; 

So, safe he sat in Durham aisle. 

And prayed for our success the while. 

Our Norham vicar, woe betide. 

Is all too well in case to ride. 

The priest of Shoreswood — he could rein 

The wildest war-horse in your train; 

But then, no spearman in the hall 

Will sooner swear, or stab, or brawl. 

Friar John of Tillmouth were the man; 

A blithesome brother at the can, 

A welcome guest in hall and bower. 

He knows each castle, town, and tower, 

In which the wine and ale is good, 

'Twixt Newcastle and Holy- Rood. 

But that good man, as ill befalls. 

Hath seldom left our castle walls. 

Since on the vigil of St. Bede, 

In evil hour, he crossed the Tweed, 



28 MARMION. 

To teach Dame Alison her creed. 

Old Bughtrig found him with his wife; 

And John, an enemy to strife, 

Sans frock and hood, fled for his life. 

The jealous churl hath deeply swore, 

That, if again he ventures o'er, 

He shall shrieve penitent no more. 

Little he loves such risks, I know; 

Yet, in your guard, perchance will go. *^ 

XXII. 

Young Selby, at the fair hall-board, 
Carved to his uncle, and that lord. 
And reverently took up the word. 
*'Kind uncle, woe were we each one. 
If harm should hap to Brother John. 
He is a man of mirthful speech, 
Can many a game and gambol teach, 
Full well at tables can he play. 
And sweep at bowls the stake away; 
None can a lustier carol bawl ; 
The needfuUest among us all. 
When time hangs heavy in the hall, 
And snow comes thick at Christmas-tide, 
And we can neither hunt, nor ride 
A foray on the Scottish side. 
The vowed revenge of Bughtrig rude, 
May end in worse than loss of hood. 
Let Friar John, in safety, still 
In^chimney-corner 3nore his fill. 
Roast hissing crabs, or flagons swill; 
Last night, to Norham there came one 
Will better o-uide Lord Marmion," 



MARMION. 29 

^* Nephew," quoth Heron, **by my fay, 
Well hast thou spoke; say forth thy say." 

XXIII. 

**Here is a holy Palmer come, 

From Salem first, and last from Rome ; 

One that hath kissed the blessed tomb, 

And visited each holy shrine, 

In Araby and Palestine ; 

On hills of Armenie hath been ; 

Where Noah's ark may yet be seen; 

By that Red Sea, too, hath he trod. 

Which parted at the prophet's rod; 

In Sinai's wilderness he saw 

The Mount, where Israel heard the law, 

'Mid thunder-dint, and flashing levin. 

And shadows, mists, and darkness, given. 

He shows St. James' cockle-shell, 

Of fair Montserrat, too, can tell : 
And of that Grot where Olives nod 

Where, darling of each heart and eye, 

From all the youth of Sicily, 
Saint Rosalie retired to God. 

XXIV. 

**To stout St. George of Norwich merry, 
Saint Thomas, too, of Canterbury, 
Cuthbert of Durham and Saint Bede, 
For his sins, pardon hath he prayed. 
He knows the passes of the North, 
And seeks far shrines beyond the Forth, 
Little he eats, and long will wake, 
And drinks but of the stream or lake. 
This were a guide o'er moor and dale: 



30 MARMION. 

But, when our John hath quaffed his ale, 
As little as the wind that blows, 
And warms itself against his nose. 
Kens he, or cares, which way he goes."— 

XXV. 

**Gramercy!*' quoth Lord Marmion, 
**Full loth were I, that Friar John, 
That venerable man, for me, 
Were placed in fear, or jeopardy; 

If this same Palmer will me lead 
From hence to Holy- Rood, 

Like his good saint, I'll pay his meed, 

Instead of cockle-shell, or bead, 
With angels fair and good. 
I love such holy ramblers ; still 
They know to charm a weary hill. 

With song, romance, or lay : 
Some jovial tale, or glee, or jest. 
Some lying legend at the least. 

They bring to cheer the way.'* 

XXVI. 

'*Ah! noble sir,*' young Selby said, 

And finger on his lip he laid, 

'*This man knows much, perhance e'en more 

Than he could learn by holy lore. 

Still to himself he's muttering, 

And shrinks as at some unseen thing. 

Last night we listened at his cell; 

Strange sounds we heard, and, sooth to tell, 

He murmured on till morn, howe'er 

No living mortal could be near. 

Sometimes I thought I heard it plain 



MARMION. 31 

As other voices spoke again. 

I cannot tell — I like it not — 

Friar John hath told us it is wrote, 

No conscience clear, and void of wrong", 

Can rest awake, and pray so long. 

Himself still bleeps before his beads 

Have marked ten aves and two creeds." 

XXVII. 

••Let pass,*' quoth Marmion; **by my fay 
This man shall guide me on my way, 
Although the great arch-fiend and he 
Had sworn themselves of company; 
So please you, gentle youth, to call 
This Palmer to the castle-hall/' 
The summoned Palmer came in place ; 
His sable cowl o'erhung his face; 

In his black mantle was he clad, 

With Peter's keys, in cloth of red, 
On his broad shoulders wrought ; 

The scallop shell his cap did deck ; 

The crucifix around his neck 
Was from Loretta brought ; 
His sandals were with travel tore. 
Staff, budget, bottle, scrip, he wore ; 
The faded palm-branch in his hand. 
Showed pilgrim from the Holy Land. 

XXVIII. 

When as the Palmer came in hall. 

Nor lord, nor knight, was there more tall. 

Or had a statelier step withal. 

Or looked more high and keen ; 
For no saluting did he wait, 



32 MARMION. 

But strode across the hall of state, 
And fronted Marmion where he sate, 

As he his peer had been. 
But his gaunt frame was worn with toil ; 
His cheek was sunk, alas! the while; 
And when he struggled at a smile, 

His eye looked haggard, wild. 
Poor wretch ! the mother that him bare, 
If she had been in presence there, 
In his wan face, and sun-burned hair, 

She had not know her child. 
Danger, long travel, want, or woe, 
Soon change the form that best we know — 
For deadly fear can time outgo. 

And blanch at once the hair; 
Hard toil can roughen form and face. 
And want can quench the eye's bright grace. 
Nor does old age a wrinkle trace. 

More deeply than despair. 
Happy whom none of these befall. 

But this poor Palmer knew them all. 

XXIX. 

Lord Marmion then his boon did ask; 
The Palmer took on him the task. 
So he would march with morning tide, 
To Scottish court to be his guide. 
— '*But I have solemn vows to pay, 
And may not linger by the way. 

To fair Saint Andrew's bound. 
Within the ocean-cave to pray. 
Where good Saint Rule his holy lay. 
From midnight to the dawn of day, 

Sung to the billow's sound; 



MARMION. 33 

Thence to Saint Fillan*s blessed well, 
Whose spring can frenzied dreams dispel, 

And the crazed brain restore : — 
Saint Mary grant, that cave or spring 
Could back to peace my bosom bring 

Or bid it throb no more!" — 

XXX. 

And now the midnight draught of sleep, 
Where wine and spices richly steep, 
In massive bowl of silver deep, 

The page presents on knee. 
Lord Marmion drank a fair good rest, 
The Captain pledged his noble guest, 
The cup went through among the rest, 

Who drained it merrily ; 
Alone the Palmer passed it by, 
Though Selby pressed him courteously. 

This was the sign the feast was o'er; 

It hushed the merry v^rassel roar, 
The minstrels ceased to sound. 
Soon in the castle nought was heard. 
But the slow footstep of the guard, 

Pacing his sober round. 

XXXI. 

With early dawn Lord Marmion rose: 

And first the chapel doors unclose ; 

Then, after morning rites were done 

(A hasty mass from Friar John), 

And knight and squire had broke their fast, 

On rich substantial repast, 

Lord Marmion's bugle blew to horse. 

Then came the stirrup-cup in course; 

3 Marmion 



34 MARMION. 

Between the Baron and his host, 

No point of courtesy was lost: 

High thanks were by Lord Marmion paid, 

Solemn excuse the Captain made, 

Till, filing from the gate, had passed 

That noble train, their Lord the last. 

Then loudly rung the trumpet call; 

Thundered the cannon from the wall, 
And shook the Scottish shore; 

Around the castle eddied, slow, 

Volumes of smoke as white as snow, 
And hid its turrets hoar; 
Till they rolled forth upon the air. 
And met the river breezes there. 
Which gave again the prospect fair. 



MARMION. 35 



INTRODUCTION TO CANTO SECOND. 

TO THE REV. JOHN MARRIOT, M.A. 

Ashestiel, Ettricke Forest. 

The scenes are desert now, and bare, 

Where flourished once a forest fair, 

When these waste glens with copse were lined, 

And peopled with the hart and hind. 

Yon thorn — perchance whose prickly spears 

Have fenced him for three hundred years, 

While fell around his green compeers — 

Yon lonely thorn, would he could tell 

The changes of his parent dell, 

Since he, so gray and stubborn now, 

Waved in each breeze a sapling bough ; 

Would he could tell how deep the shade, 

A thousand mingled branches made ; 

How broad the shadows of the oak, 

How clung the rowan, to the rock, 

And through the foliage showed his head. 

With narrow leaves, and berries red ; 

What pines on every mountain sprung, 

O'er every dell what birches hung. 

In every breeze what aspens shook, 

What alders shaded every brook ! 

**Here, in my shade," methinks he*d say, 
*'The mighty stag at noontide lay; 
The wolf I've seen, a fiercer game 



36 MARMION. 

(The neighboring dingle bears his name), 

With lurching step around me prowl, 

And stop against the moon to howl ; 

The mountain boar, on battle set, 

His tusks upon my stem would whet ; 

While doe and roe, and red-deer good, 

Have bounded by through gay green- wood. 

Then oft, from Newark's riven tower. 

Sallied a Scottish monarch's power; 

A thousand vassals mustered round, 

With horse, and hawk, and horn, and hound ; 

And I might see the youth intent, 

Guard every pass with cross-bow iDent ; 

And through the brake the rangers stalk. 

And falconers hold the ready hawk; 

And foresters, in green-wood trim. 

Lead in the leash the gaze-hounds grim, 

Attentive, as the bratchet's bay 

From the dark covert drove the prey, 

To slip them as he broke away. 

The startled quarry bounds amain, 

As fast the gallant greyhounds strain ; 

Whistles the arrow from the bow. 

Answers the harquebuss below ; 

While all the rocking hills reply, 

To hoof-clang, hound, and hunters' cry, 

And bugles ringing lightsomely. " — 

Of such proud huntings, many tales 
Yet linger in our lonely dales, 
Up pathless Ettricke, and on Yarrow, 
Where erst the Outlaw drew his arrow. 
But not more blithe that sylvan court, 
Than we have been at humbler sport ; 



MARMION. 37 

Though small our pomp, and mean our game, 

Our mirth, dear Harriot, was the same. 

Remember*st thou my greyhounds true? 

0*er holt, or hill, there never flew. 

From slip, or leash, there never sprang, 

More fleet of foot, or sure of fang. 

Nor dull, between each merry chase. 

Passed by the intermitted space ; 

For we had fair resource in store, . 

In Classic, and in Gothic lore ; 

We marked each memorable scene, 

And held poetic talk between ; 

Nor hi^J, nor brook, we paced along, 

But had its legend, or its song. 

All silent now — for now are still 

Thy bowers, untenanted Bowhill! 

No longer, from thy mountains dun, 

The yeoman hears the well-known gun, 

And, while his honest heart glows warm. 

At thought of his paternal farm. 

Round to his mates a brimmer fills. 

And drinks, *'The Chieftain of the Hills!" 

No fairy forms, in Yarrow's bowers, 

Trip o'er the walks, or tend the flowers, 

Fair as the elves whom Janet saw. 

By moonlight dance on Carterhaugh; 

No youthful baron's left to grace 

The Forest-Sheriff's lonely chase, 

And ape, in manly step and tone. 

The majesty of Oberon: 

And she is gone, whose lovely face 

Is but her least and lowest grace; 

Though, if to Sylphid Queen 'twere given, 

To show our earth the charms of heaven. 



38 MARMION. 

She could not glide along the air, 
With form more light, or face more fair. 
No more the widow's deafened ear 
Grows quick, that lady's step to hear: 
At noontide she expects her not, 
Nor busies her to trim the cot; 
Pensive she turns her humming wheel, 
Or pensive cooks her orphans' meal; 
Yet blesses, ere she deals their bread, 
The gentle hand by which they're fed. 

From Yair, — which hills so closely bind, 
Scarce can the Tweed his passage find, 
Though much he fret, and chafe, and toil, 
Till all his eddying currents boil, — 
Her long-descended lord is gone, 
And left us by the stream alone. 
And much I miss those sportive boys, 
Companions of my mountain joys, 
Just at the age, 'twixt boy and youth. 
When thought is speech, and speech is truth. 
Close to my side, with what delight. 
They pressed to hear of Wallace wight, 
When, pointing to his airy mound! 
I called his ramparts holy ground! 
Kindled their brows to hear me speak. 
And I have smiled, to feel my cheek, 
Despite the difference of our years. 
Return again the glow of theirs. 
Ah, happy boys! such feelings pure. 
They will not, cannot long endure; 
Condemned to stem the world's rude tide, 
You may not linger by the side; 
For Fate shall thrust you from the shore, 



MARMION. 39 

And Passion ply the sail and oar. 

Yet cherish the remembrance still, 

Of the lone mountain, and the rill; 

For trust, dear boys, the time will come, 

When fiercer transport shall be dumb 

And you will think, right frequently, 

But, well I hope, without a sigh, 

On the free hours that we have spent. 

Together, on the brown hill's bent. 

When, musing on companions gone. 
We doubly feel ourselves alone, 
Something, my friend, we yet may gain, 
There is a pleasure in this pain : 
It soothes the love of lonely rest, 
Deep in each gentler heart impressed. 
'Tis silent amid worldly toils, 
And stifled soon by mental broils ; 
But, in the bosom thus prepared. 
Its still small voice is often heard. 
Whispering a mingled sentiment, 
'Twixt resignation and content. 
Oft in my mind such thoughts awake. 
By lone St. Mary's silent lake; 
Thou know*st it well, — nor fen, nor sedge. 
Pollute the pure lake's crystal edge; 
Abrupt and sheer, the mountains sink 
At once upon the level brink ; 
And just a trace of silver sand 
Marks where the water meets the land. 
Far in the mirror, bright and blue, 
Each hill's huge outline you may view; 
Shaggy with heath, but lonely, bare, 
Nor tree, nor bush, nor brake is there, 



40 MARMION. 

Save where, of land, yon slender line 

Bears thwart the lake the scattered pine. 

Yet even this nakedness has power, 

And aids the feeling of the hour : 

Nor thicket, dell, nor copse you spy, 

Where living thing concealed might lie ; 

Nor point, retiring, hides a dell, 

Where swain, or woodman lone, might dwell ; 

There's nothing left to fancy's guess. 

You see that all is loneliness : 

And silence aids — though these steep hills 

Send to the lake a thousand rills; 

In summer tide, so soft they weep, 

The sound but lulls the ear asleep ; 

Your horse's hoof- tread sounds too rude, 

So stilly is the solitude. 

Naught living meets the eye or ear. 
But well I ween the dead are near ; 
For though, in feudal strife, a foe 
Hath laid Our Lady's chapel low. 
Yet still, beneath the hallowed soil. 
The peasant rests him from his toil. 
And, dying, bids his bones be laid 
Where erst his simple fathers prayed. 

If age had tamed the passions' strife, 
And fate had cut my ties to life, 
Here, have I thought, 'twere sweet to dwell, 
And rear again the chaplain's cell, 
Like that same peaceful hermitage, 
Where Milton longed to spend his age, 
'Twere sweet to mark the setting day, 
On Bourhope's lonely top decay; 
And, as it faint and feeble died 



MARMION. 41 

On the broad lake, and mountain's side, 

To say, '*Thus pleasures fade away; 

Youth, talents, beauty, thus decay, 

And leave us dark, forlorn, and gray;'* — 

Then gaze on Dryhope's ruined tower. 

And think on Yarrow's faded Flower: 

And when that mountain-sound I heard, 

Which bids us be for storm prepared, 

The distant rustling of his wings. 

As up his force the Tempest brings, 

'Twere sweet, ere yet his terrors rave, 

To sit upon the Wizard's grave; 

That Wizard Priest's whose bones are thrust 

From company of holy dust ; 

On which no sunbeam ever shines — 

(So superstition's creed divines,) 

Thence view the lake, with sullen roar, 

Heave her broad billows to the shore ; 

And mark the wild swans mount the gale. 

Spread wide through mist their snowy sail, 

And ever stoop again, to lave 

Their bosoms on the surging wave : 

Then, when against the driving hail 

No longer might my plaid avail. 

Back to my lonely home retire. 

And light my lamp, and trim my fire: 

There ponder o'er some mystic lay. 

Till the wild tale had all its sway, 

And in the bittern's distant shriek 

I heard unearthly voices speak. 

And thought the Wizard Priest was come, 

To claim again his ancient home ! 

And bade my busy fancy range, 

To frame him fitting shape and strange, 



42 MARMION. 

Till from the task my brow I cleared, 
And smiled to think that I had feared. 

But, chief, 'twere sweet to think such life, 
(Though but escape from fortune's strife,) 
Something most matchless good and wise, 
A great and grateful sacrifice ; 
And deem each hour to musing given, 
A step upon the road to heaven. 

Yet him, whose heart is ill at ease. 
Such peaceful solitudes displease : 
He loves to drown his bosom's jar 
Amid the elemental war: 
And my black Palmer's choice had been 
Some ruder and more savage scene, 
Like that which frowns round dark Lochskene, 
There eagles scream from isle to shore: 
Down all the rocks the torrents roar ; 
O'er the black waves incessant driven, 
Dark mists infect the summer heaven; 
Through the rude barriers of the lake. 
Away its hurrying waters break, 
Faster and whiter dash and curl, 
Till down yon dark abyss they hurl. 
Rises the fog-smoke white as snow, 
Thunders the viewless stream below, 
Diving, as if condemned to lave 
Some demon's subterranean cave. 
Who, prisoned bj'' enchanter's spell, 
Shakes the dark rock v/ith groan and yell. 
And well that Palmer's form and mien 
Had suited with the stormy scene, 
Just on the edge, straining his ken 



MARMION. 43 

To view the bottom of the den, 
Where, deep, deep down, and far within, 
Toils with the rocks the roaring linn ; 
Then, issuing forth one foamy wave, 
And wheeling round the Giant's Grave, 
White as the snowy charger's tail. 
Drives down the pass of Moffatdale. 

Harriot, thy harp on Isis strung. 
To many a border theme has rung: 
Then list to me, and thou shalt know 
Of this mysterious Man of Woe. 



44 MARMION. 



CANTO SECOND. 

THE CONVENT. 



The breeze, which swept away the smoke, 

Round Norham Castle rolled ; 
When all the loud artillery spoke, 
With lightning- flash, and thunder- stroke, 

As Marmion left the Hold. 
It curled not Tweed alone, that breeze ; 
For, far upon Northumbrian seas. 

It freshly blew, and strong. 
Where, from high Whitby's cloistered pile, 
Bound to St. Cuthbert's Holy Isle, 

It bore a bark along. 
Upon the gale she stooped her side. 
And bounded o'er the swelling tide, 

As she were dancing home ; 
The merry seamen laughed, to see 
Their gallant ship so lustily 

Furrow the green sea-foam. 
Much joyed they in their honored freight; 
For, on the deck, in chair of state, 
The Abbess of Saint Hilda placed, 
With five fair nuns, the galley graced. 

II. 

*Twas sweet to see these holy maids, 
Like birds escaped to green- wood shades. 



MARMION. 45 

Their first flight from the cage, 
How timid, and how curious too, 
For all to them was strange and new, 
And all the common sights they view, 

Their wonderment engage, 
One eyed the shrounds and swelling sail. 

With many a benedicite; 
One at the rippling surge grew pale. 

And would for terror pray; 
Then shrieked, because the sea-dog, nigh, 
His round black head, and sparkling eye, 

Reared o*er the foaming spray; 
And one would still adjust her veil, 
Disordered by the summer gale, 
Perchance lest some more worldly eye 
Her dedicated charms might spy ; 
Perchance, because such action graced 
Her fair-turned arm and slender waist. 
Light was each simple bosom there, 
Save two, who ill might pleasure share, — 
The Abbess and the Novice Clare. 

III. 

The Abbess was of noble blood. 

But early took the veil and hood, 

Ere upon life she cast a look, 

Or knew the world that she forsook. 

Fair too she was, and kind had been 

As she was fair, but ne'er had seen 

For her a timid lover sigh. 

Nor knew the influence of her eye; 

Love, to her ear, was but a name. 

Combined with vanity and shame ; 

Her hopes, her fears, her joys, were all 



46 MARMION. 

Bounded within the cloister-wall : 
The deadliest sin her mind could reach 
Was of monastic rule the breach ; 
And her ambition's highest aim, 
To emulate Saint Hilda's fame. 
For this she gave her ample dower, 
To raise the convent's eastern tower; 
For this, with carving rare and quaint, 
She decked the chapel of the saint, 
And gave the relique-shrine of cost. 
With ivory and gems embossed. 
The poor her convent's bounty blessed, 
The pilgrim in its halls found rest. 

IV. 

Black was her garb, her rigid rule 
Reformed on Benedictine school; 
Her cheek was pale, her form was spare, 
Vigils, and penitence austere. 
Had early quenched the light of youth, 
But gentle was the dame in sooth ; 
Though, vain of her religious sway, 
She loved to see her maids obey. 
Yet nothing stern was she in cell. 
And the nuns loved their Abbess well. 
Sad was this voyage to the dame ; 
Summoned to Lundisfarne, she came 
There, with St. Cuthbert's Abbot old 
And Tynemouth's Prioress, to hold 
A chapter of Saint Benedict, 
For inquisition stern and strict, 
On two apostates from the faith. 
And, if need were, to doom to death. 



MARMION. 47 



Nought say I here of Sister Clare, 
Save this, that she was young and fair; 
As yet a novice unprofessed, 
Lovely and gentle, but distressed. 
She was betrothed to one now dead, 
Or worse, who had dishonored fled. 
Her kinsmen bade her give her hand 
To one, who loved her for her land: 
Herself, almost heart-broken now, 
Was bent to take the vestal vow, 
And shroud, within Saint Hilda's gloom, 
Her blasted hopes and withered bloom. 

VI. 

She sate upon the galley's prow, 

And seemed to mark the waves below ; 

Nay seemed, so fixed her look and eye, 

To count them as they glided by. 

She saw them not — 'twas seeming all — 

Far other scene her thoughts recall, — 

A sun-scorched desert, waste and bare. 

Nor wave, nor breezes, murmured there ; 

There saw she, where some careless hand 

O'er a dead corpse had heaped the sand, 

To hide it till the jackals come 

To tear it from the scanty tomb. — 

See what a woeful look was given. 

As she raised up her eyes to heaven ! 

VII. 

Lovely, and gentle, and distressed — 

These charms might tame the fiercest breast: 

Harpers have sung, and poets told, 



48 MARMION. 

That he, in fury tmcontrolled, 

The shaggy monarch of the wood, 

Before a virgin, fair and good, 

Hath pacified his savage mood. 

Bnt passions in the human frame 

Oft put the lion's rage to shame; 

And jealousy, by dark intrigue, 

With sordid, avarice in league, 

Had practiced, with their bowl and knife. 

Against the mourner's harmless life. 

This crime was charged 'gainst those who lay 

Prisoned in Cuthbert's islet gray. 

VIII. 

And now the vessel skirts the strand 

Of mountainous Northumberland ; 

Towns, towers, and halls, successive rise, 

And catch the nuns' delighted eyes. 

Monk-Wearmouth soon behind they lay, 

And Tynemouth's priory and bay; 

They marked, amid her trees, the hall 

Of lofty Seaton-Delaval: 

They saw the Blythe and Wansbeck floods 

Rush to the sea through sounding woods; 

They passed the tower of Widderington, 

Mother of many a valiant son ; 

At Coquet-isle their beads they tell, 

To the good Saint who owned the cell ; 

Then did the Alne attention claim, 

And Warkworth, proud of Percy's name; 

And next, they crossed themselves, to hear 

The whitening breakers sound so near. 

Where, boiling through the rocks, they roar 

On Dunstanborough's caverned shore; 



MARMION. 49 

Thy tower, proud Bamboro, marked they here. 

King Ida's castle huge and square, 

From its tall rock look grimly down. 

And on the swelling ocean frown ; 

Then from the coast they bore away, 

And reached the Holy Island's bay. 

IX. 

The tide did now its flood-mark gain, 
And girdled in the Saint's domain; 
For with the flow and ebb, its style. 
Varies from continent to isle ; 
Dry-shod, o'er sands, twice every day. 
The pilgrims to the shrine find way; 
Twice every day, the waves efface 
Of staves and sandalled feet the trace. 
As to the port the galley flew, 
Higher and higher rose to view 
The Castle, with its battled walls. 
The ancient Monastery's halls, 
A solemn, huge, and dark-red pile, 
Placed on the margin of the isle. 

X. 

In Saxon strength that Abbey frowned, 
With massive arches broad and round. 

That rose alternate, row on row 

On ponderous columns, short and low. 
Built ere the art was known, 

By pointed aisle, and shafted stalk. 

The arcades of an alleyed walk 
To emulate in stone. 
On the deep walls, the heathen Dane 
Had poured his impious rage in vain; 
And needful was such strength to these 

4 Marmion 



50 MARMION. 

Exposed to the tempestuous seas, 

Scourged by the wind's eternal sway, 

Open to rovers fierce as they, 

Which could twelve hundred years withstand 

Winds, waves, and northern pirates* hand. 

Not but that portions of the pile, 

Rebuilded in a later style. 

Showed where the spoiler's hand had been; 

Not but the wasting sea-breeze keen 

Had worn the pillar's carving quaint, 

And mouldered in his niche the saint, 

And rounded, with consuming power, 

The pointed angles of each tower: 

Yet still entire the Abbey stood, 

Like veteran, worn, but unsubdued. 

XI. 

Soon as they neared his turrets strong, 
The maidens raised St. Hilda's song. 
And with the sea-wave and the wind, 
Their voices, sweetly shrill, combined. 

And made harmonious close ; 
Then, answering from the sandy shore, 
Half drowned amid the breakers' roar, 
According chorus rose : 
Down to the haven of the Isle, 
The monks and nuns in order file, 
From Cuthbert's cloisters grim; 
Banner, and cross, and reliques there, 
To meet St. Hilda's maids, they bare; 
And, as they caught the sounds on air. 

They echoed back the hymn. 
The islanders, in joyous mood. 
Rushed emulously through the flood 



MARMION. 51 

To hale the bark to land ; 
Conspicuous by her veil and hood, 
Signing the cross, the Abbess stood, 

And blessed them with her hand. 

XII. 

Suppose we now the welcome said. 
Suppose the convent banquet made: 

All through the holy dome, 
Through cloister, aisle, and gallery, 
Whatever vestal maid might pry. 
Nor risk to meet unhallowed eye, 

The stranger sisters roam : 
Till fell the evening damp with dew, 
And the sharp sea-breeze coldly blew. 
For there, even summer night is chill ; 
Then, having strayed and gazed their fill. 

They closed around the fire ; 
And all, in turn, essayed to paint , 
The rival merits of their saint, 

A theme that ne'er can tire 
A holy maid; for, be it know. 
That their saint's honor is their own. 

XIII. 

Then Whitby's nuns exulting told, 
How to their house three barons bold 

Must menial service do ; 
While horns blow out a note of shame, 
And monks cry **Fye upon your name! 
In wrath, for loss of sylvan game, 

Saint Hilda's priest ye slew." — 
**This, on Ascension-day, each year, 
While laboring on our harbor pier. 



52 MARMION. 

Must Herbert, Bruce, and Percy hear/' 
They told, how in their convent cell 
A Saxon princess once did dwell, 

The lovely Edelfled; 
And how, of thousand snakes, each one 
Was changed into a coil of stone, 

When holy Hilda prayed; 
Themselves, within their holy bound 
Their stony folds had often found. 
They told, how sea-fowls' pinions fail. 
As over Whitby's towers they sail 
And, sinking down, with flutterings faint, 
They do their homage to the saint. 

XIV. 

Nor did St. Cuthbert's daughters fail 

To vie with these in holy tale: 

His body's resting-place, of old, 

How oft their patron changed, they told; 

How, when the rude Dane burned their pile, 

The monks fled forth from Holy Isle; 

O'er northern mountain, marsh and moor, 

From sea to sea, from shore to shore. 

Seven years Saint Cuthbert's corpse they bore: 

They rested them in fair Melrose ; 
But though, alive, he loved it well. 

Not there his reliques might repose ; 
For, wondrous tale to tell ! 

In his stone coffin forth he rides, 

(A ponderous bark for river tides) 

Let light as gossamer it glides. 
Downward to Tillmouth cell. 
Nor long was his abiding there. 
For southward did the saint repair; 



MARMION. 53 

Chester-le-Street, and Rippon, saw 
His holy corpse, ere Wardilaw 

Hailed him with joy and fear; 
And, after many wanderings passed, 
He chose his lordly seat at last, 
Where his cathedral, huge and vast, 

Looks down upon the Wear: 
There, deep in Durham's Gothic shade, 
His reliques are in secret laid ; 

But none may know the place, 
Save of his holiest servants three, 
Deep sworn to solemn secrecy, 

Who share that wondrous grace. 

XV. 

Who may his miracles declare ! 

Even Scotland's dauntless king, and heir, 

(Although with them they led 
Galwegians, wild as ocean's gale. 
And Lodon's knights, all sheathed in mail 
And the bold men of Teviotdale), 

Before his standard fled, 
'Twas he, to vindicate his reign, 
Edged Alfred's falchion on the Dane, 
And turned the Conqueror back again, 
When, with his Norman bowyer band. 
He came to waste Northumberland. 

XVI. 

But fain Saint Hilda's nuns would learn. 
If, on a rock by Lindisfarne, 
Saint Cuthbert sits, and toils to frame 
The sea-born beads that bear his name: 
Such tales had Whitby's fishers told. 



54 MARMION. 

And said they might his shape behold, 

And hear his anvil sound ; 
A deadened clang, — a huge dim form. 
Seen but, and heard, when gathering storm 

And night were closing round. 
But this, as tale of idle fame. 
The nuns of Lindisfarne disclaim. 

XVII. 

While round the fire such legends go, 
Far different was the scene of woe, 
Where, in a secret aisle beneath. 
Council was held of life and death. 

It was more dark and lone, that vault, 
Than the worst dungeon cell ; 

Old Colwulf built it, for his fault, 
In penitence to dwell. 
When he, for cowl and beads, laid down 
The Saxon battle-axe and crown. 
This den, which, chilling every sense 

Of feeling, hearing, sight, 
Was called the Vault of Penitence, 

Excluding air and light. 
Was, by the prelate Sexhelm, made 
A place of burial, for such dead 
As, having died in mortal sin. 
Might not be laid the church within. 
^Twas now a place of punishment; 
Whence if so loud a shriek were sent 

As reached the upper air, 
The hearers blessed themselves, and said, 
The spirits of the sinful dead 

Bemoaned their torments there. 



MARMION, 55 



XVIII. 



But though, in the monastic pile, 
Did of this penitential aisle 

Some vague tradition go. 
Few only, save the Abbot, knew 
Where the place lay; and still more few 
Where those, who had from him the clew 

To that dread vault to go. 
Victim and executioner 
Were blind-fold when transported there. 
In low dark rounds the arches hung, 
From the rude rock the side-walls sprung; 
The grave- stones, rudely sculptured o'er, 
Half sunk in earth, by time half wore. 
Were all the pavement of the floor; 
The mildew-drops fell one by one. 
With tingling plash, upon the stone. 
A cresset, in an iron chain, 
Which served to light this drear domain, 
With damp and darkness seemed to strive 
As if it scarce might keep alive ; 
And yet it dimly served to show. 
The awful conclave met below. 

XIX. 

There, met to doom in secrecy. 

Were placed the heads of convents three ; 

All servants of Saint Benedict, 

The statutes of whose order strict 

On iron table lay ; 
In long black dress, on seats of stone. 
Behind were these three judges shown. 

By the pale cresset's ray: 



56 MARMION. 

The Abbess of Saint Hilda's, there 
Sate for a space with visage bare, 
Until, to hide her bosom's swell. 
And tear-drops that for pity fell, 

She closely drew her veil. 
Yon shrouded figure as I guess, 
By her proud mien and flowing dress, 
Is Tynemouth's haughty Prioress, 

And she with awe looks pale : 
And he, that Ancient Man, whose sight 
Has long been quenched by age's night, 
Upon whose wrinkled brow alone, 
Nor ruth, nor mercy's trace is shown, 

Whose look is hard and stern, — 
Saint Cuthbert's Abbot is his style; 
For sancitity called, through the isle, 

The Saint of Lindisfarne. 

XX. 

Before them stood a guilty pair; 
But, though an equal fate they share, 
Yet one alone deserves our care. 
Her sex a page's dress belied; 
The cloak and doublet, loosely tied, 
Obscured her charms, but could not hide. 

Her cap down o'er her face she drew; 
And, on her doublet breast, 

She tried to hide the badge of blue. 
Lord Marmion's falcon-crest. 
But, at the Prioress' command, 
A Monk undid the silken band • 

That tied her tresses fair, 
And raised the bonnet from her head. 
And down her slender form they spread, 




'Before them stood a guilty pair."~Page 56. 

IMarmion. 



MARMION. 57 

In ringlets rich and rare. 
Constance de Beverley they know, 
Sister professed of Fontevraud, 
Whom the church numbered with the dead^ 
For broken vows, and convent fled. 

XXI. 

When thus her face was given to view 

(Although so pallid was her hue, 

It did a ghastly contrast bear. 

To those bright ringlets glistering fair), 

Her look composed, and steady eye. 

Bespoke a matchless constancy; 

And there she stood so calm and pale. 

That, but her breathing did not fail, 

And motion slight of eye and head, 

And of her bosom, warranted 

That neither sense nor pulse she lacks, 

You might have thought a form of wax,, 

Wrought to the life, was there ; 

So still she was, so pale, so fair. 

XXII. 

Her comrade was a sordid vSoul, 

Such as does murder for a meed ; 
Who, but of fear, knows no control, 
Because his conscience, seared and foul. 

Feels not the import of his deed ; 
One, whose brute feeling ne'er aspires 
Beyond his own more brute desires. 
Such tools the tempter ever needs. 
To do the savagest of deeds ; 
For them no visioned terrors daunt. 
Their nights no fancied specters haunt ; 



58 MARMION. 

One fear with them, of all most base, 
The fear of death, — alone finds place. 
This wretch was clad in frock and cowl, 
And shamed not loud to moan and howl, 
His body on the floor to dash, 
And crouch, like hound beneath the lash; 
While his mute partner, standing near. 
Waited her doom without a tear. 

XXIII. 

Yet well the luckless wretch might shriek, 
Well might her paleness terror speak ! 
For there were seen, in that dark wall, 
Two niches, narrow, deep, and tall. 
Who enters at such grisly door, 
Shall ne'er, I ween, find exit more. 
In each a slender meal was laid, 
Of roots, of water, and of bread: 
By each, in Benedictine dress, 
Two haggard monks stood motionless; 
Who, holding high a blazing torch. 
Showed the grim entrance of the porch; 
Reflecting back the smoky beam. 
The dark-red walls and arches gleam. 
Hewn stones and cement were displayed, 
And building tools in order laid. 

XXIV. 

These executioners were chose 
As men who were with mankind foes, 
And, with despite and envy fired. 
Into the cloister had retired; 

Or who, in desperate doubt of grace. 
Strove, by deep penance, to efface 



MARMION. 59 

Of some foul crime the stain : 
For, as the vassals of her will, 
Such men the church selected still, 
As either joyed in doing ill, 

Or thought more grace to gain, 
If in her cause they wrestled down 
Feelings their nature strove to own. 
By strange device were they brought there, 
They knew not how, and knew not where. 

XXV. 

And now that blind old Abbot rose, 

To speak the Chapter's doom. 
On those the wall was to enclose, 

Alive, within the tomb ; 
But stopped, because that woeful maid. 
Gathering her powers, to speak essayed ; 
Twice she essayed, and twice in vain, 
Her accents might no utterance gain ; 
Nought but imperfect murmurs slip 
From her convulsed and quivering lip : 
*Twixt each attempt all was so still, 
You seemed to hear a distant rill — 

'Twas ocean's swells and falls; 
For though this vault of sin and fear 
Was to the sounding surge so near, 
A tempest there you scarce could hear, 
So massive were the walls. 

XXVI. 

At length an effort sent apart 

The blood that curdled to her heart. 

And light came to her eye. 
And color dawned upon her cheek. 



60 MARMION. 

A hectic and a fluttered streak, 
Like that left on the Cheviot peak 

By Autumn's stormy sky; 
And when her silence broke at length, 
Still as she spoke she gathered strength 

And armed herself to bear. 
It was a fearful sight to see 
Such high resolve and constancy, 

In form so soft and fair. 

XXVII. 

''I speak not to implore your grace; 
Well known I, for one minute's space 

Successless might I sue: 
'Nor do I speak your prayers to gain ; 
For if a death of lingering pain. 
To cleanse my sins, be penance vain, 

Vain are your masses too. — 
I listened to a traitor's tale, 
I left the convent and the veil, 
For three long years I bowed my pride, 
A horse-boy in his train to ride ; 
And well my folly's meed he gave, 
Who forfeited, to be his slave, 
All here, and all beyond the grave. — 
He saw young Clara's face more fair. 
He knew her of broad lands the heir, 
Forgot his vows, his faith forswore, 
And Constance was beloved no more. — 

'Tisan old tale, and often told; 
But, did my fate and wish agree. 

Ne'er had been read, in story old, 

Of maiden true betrayed for gold, 
That loved, or was avenged, like me! 



j 



MARMION. 61 

XXVIII. 

''The king approved his favorite's aim; 
In vain a rival barred his claim, 

Whose faith with Clara's was plight, 
For he attaints that rival's fame 
With treason's charge — and on they came, 

In mortal lists to fight. 
Their oaths are said, 
Their prayers are prayed. 
Their lances in the rest are laid, 

They meet in mortal shock ; 
And hark ! the throng, with thundering cry, 
Shout, 'Marmion, Marmion, to the sky! 

De Wilton to the block!' 
Say ye, who preach heaven shall decide, 
When in the lists two champions ride, 

Say, was heaven's justice here? 
When, loyal in his love and faith, 
Wilton found overthrow or death. 

Beneath a traitor's spear. 
How false the charge, how true he fell. 
This guilty packet best can tell." — 
Then drew a packet from her breast. 
Paused, gathered voice, and spoke the rest. 

XXIX. 

'* Still was false Marmion 's bridal stayed; 
To Whitby's convent fled the maid, 

The hated match to shun. 
*Ho! shifts she thus?' King Henry cried, 

*Sir Marmion, she shall be thy bride, 

If she were sworn a nun. ' 
One way remained — the king's command 



62 MARMION. 

Sent Marmion to the Scottish land : 
I lingered here, and rescue planned 

For Clara and for me : 
This caitiff Monk, for gold, did swear, 
He would to Whitby's shrine repair. 
And, by his drugs, my rival fair 

A saint in heaven should be. 
But ill the dastard kept his oath, 
Whose cowardice hath undone us both. 

XXX. 

*'And now my tongue the secret tells, 
Not that remorse my bosom swells. 
But to assure my soul, that none 
Shall ever wed with Marmion. 
Had fortune my last hope betrayed. 
This packet, to the king conveyed. 
Had given him to the headsman's stroke, 
Although my heart that instant broke. — 
Now, men of death, work forth your will. 
For I can suffer, and be still : 
And come he slow, or come he fast, 
It is but Death who comes at last. 

XXXI. 

*'Yet dread me, from my living tomb. 
Ye vassal slaves of bloody Rome ! 
If Marmion's late remorse should wake, 
Full soon such vengeance will he take, 
That you shall wish the fiery Dame 
Had rather been your guest again. 
Behind, a darker hour ascends! 
The altars quake, the crosier bends, 
The ire of a despotic king 



MARMION. 63 

Rides forth upon destruction's wing; 
Then shall these vaults, so strong and deep, 
Burst open to the sea- wind's sweep; 
Some traveler then shall find my bones. 
Whitening amid disjointed stones, 
And, ignorant of priests' cruelty, 
Marvel such reliques here should be. '' — 

XXXII. 

Fixed was her look, and stern her air ; 

Back from her shoulders streamed her hair; 

The locks, that wont her brow to shade, 

Stared up erectly from her head; 

Her figure seemed to rise more high; 

Her voice, despair's wild energy 

Had given a tone of prophecy. 

Appalled the astonished conclave sate; 

With stupid eyes, the men of fate 

Gazed on the light inspired form. 

And listened for the avenging storm ; 

The judges felt the victim's dread; 

No hand was moved, no word was said. 

Till thus the Abbot's doom was given. 

Raising his sightless balls to heaven : 

** Sister, let thy sorrows cease; 

Sinful brother, part in peace ! ' ' 

From that dire dungeon, place of doom, 
Of execution too, and tomb. 

Paced forth the judges three; 
Sorrow it were, and shame, to tell 
The butcher- work that there befell. 
When they had glided from the cell 
Of sin and misery. 



64 MARMION. 

* XXXIII. 

An hundred winding steps convey 
That conclave to the tipper day ; 
But, ere they breathed the fresher air, 
They heard the shriekings of despair, 

And many a stifled groan : 
With speed their upward way they take, 
{Such speed as age and fear can make,) 
And crossed themselves for terror's sake, 

As, hurrying, tottering on ; 
Even in the vesper's heavenly tone, 
They seemed to hear a dying groan. 
And bade the passing knell to toll 
For welfare of a parting soul. 
Slow o'er the midnight wave it swung, 
Northumbrian rocks in answer rung ; 
To Warkworth cell the echoes rolled, 
His beads the wakeful hermit told; 
The Bamborough peasant raised his head, 
But slept ere half a prayer he said; 
So far was heard the mighty knell. 
The stag sprung up on Cheviot Fell, 
Spread his broad nostril to the wind. 
Listed before, aside, behind ; 
Then couched him down beside the hind, 
And quaked among the mountain fern. 
To hear that sound so dull and stern. 



J 



MARMION. 65 



INTRODUCTION TO CANTO THIRD. 

TO WILLIAM ERSKINE, ESQ. 

Ashestiel, Ettricke Forest. 

Like April morning clouds, that pass, 

With varying shadow, o'er the grass. 

And imitate, on field and furrow, 

Life's chequered scene of joy and sorrow; 

Like streamlet of the mountain north, 

Now in a torrent racing forth. 

Now winding slow its silver train. 

And almost slumbering on the plain ; 

Like breezes of the Autumn day, 

Whose voice inconstant dies away, 

And ever swells again as fast, 

When the ear deems its murmur past; 

Thus various, my romantic theme 

Flits, winds, or sinks, a morning dream. 

Yet pleased, our eye pursues the trace 

Of Light and Shade's inconstant race ; 

Pleased, views the rivulet afar, 

Weaving its maze irregular; 

And pleased, we listen as the breeze 

Heaves its wild sigh through Autumn trees. 

Then wild as cloud, or stream, or gale, 

Flow on, flow unconfined my tale. 

Need I to thee, dear Erskine, tell, 
I love the licence all too well. 

5 Marmion 



66 MARMION. 

In sound now lowly, and now strong, 

To raise the desultory song? 

Oft, when, 'mid such capricious chime, 

Some transient fit of loftier rhyme, 

To thy kind judgment seemed excuse 

For many an error of the muse ; 

Oft hast thou said, *'If still mis-spent, 

Thine hours to poetry are lent. 

Go, and to tame thy wandering course, 

Quaff from the fountain at the source ; 

Approach those masters, o'er whose tomb 

Immortal laurels ever bloom ; 

Instructive of the feebler bard, 

Still from the grave their voice is heard; 

From them, and from the paths they showed, 

Choose honored guide and practised road; 

Nor ramble on through brake and maze, 

With harpers rude of barbarous days. 

**Or, deem'st thou not our later time 
Yields topic meet for classic rhyme? 
Hast thou no elegiac verse 
For Brunswick's venerable hearse? 
What! not a line, a tear, a sigh. 
When valor bleeds for liberty? 
Oh, hero of that glorious time, 
When, with unrivalled light sublime, — 
Though martial Austria, and though all 
The might of Russia, and the Gaul, 
Though banded Europe stood her foes — 
The star of Brandenburgh arose, 
Thou couldst not live to see her beam 
Forever quenched in Jena's stream. 
Lamented chief! — it was not given 



MARMION. 67 

To thee to change the doom of heaven, 

And crush that dragon in its birth, 

Predestined scourge of guilty earth. 

Lamented chief! — not thine the power, 

To save in that presumptuous hour, 

When Prussia hurried to the field, 

And snatched the spear, but left the shield: 

Valor and skill 'twas thine to try, 

And, tried in vain, 'twas thine to die. 

Ill had it seemed thy silver hair 

The last, the bitterest pang to share, 

For princedoms reft, and scrutcheons riven, 

And birthrights to usurpers given ; 

Thy land's thy children's wrongs to feel, 

And witness woes thou couldst not heal ! 

On thee relenting heaven bestows 

For honored life an honored close, 

And when revolves, in time's sure change, 

The hour of Germany's revenge. 

When, breathing fury for her sake, 

Some new Arminius shall awake, 

Her champion, ere he strike, shall come 

To whet his sword on Brunswick's tomb. 

"Or of the Red-Cross hero teach, 
Dauntless in dungeon as on breach : 
Alike to him the sea, the shore, 
The brand, the bridle, or the oar; 
Alike to him the war that calls 
Its votaries to the shattered walls. 
Which the grim Turk besmeared with blood, 
Against the Invincible made good ; 
Or that, whose thundering voice could wake 
The silence of the polar lake. 



68 MARMION. 

When stubborn Russ, and metalled Swede, 
On the warped wave their death-game played ; 
Or that, where vengeance and affright 
Howled round the father of the fight, 
Who snatched on Alexandria's sand 
The conqueror's wreath with dying hand. 

* ' Or, if to touch such chord be thine, 
Restore the ancient tragic line, 
Add emulate the notes that rung 
From the wild harp which silent hung, 
By silver Avon's holy shore. 
Till twice an hundred years rolled o*er; 
When she, the bold Enchantress, came. 
With fearless hand and heart on flame ! 
From the pale willow snatched the treasure. 
And swept it with a kindred measure. 
Till Avon's swans, while rung the grove 
With Montfort's hate and Basil's love, 
Awakening at the inspired strain, 
Deemed their own Shakespeare lived again." 

Thy friendship thus thy judgment wronging, 
With praises not to me belonging. 
In task more meet for mightiest powers, 
Wouldst thou engage my thriftless hours. 
But say, my Erskine, hast thou weighed 
That secret power by all obeyed. 
Which warps not less the passive mind. 
Its source concealed or undefined; 
Whether an impulse, that has birth 
Soon as the infant wakes on earth, 
One with our feelings and our powers, 
And rather part of us than ours; 



MARMION. 69 

Or whether fitlier termed the sway 

Of habit, formed in early day? 

However derived, its force confessed 

Rules with despotic sway the breast 

And drags us on by viewless chain, 

While taste and reason plead in vain. 

Look east, and ask the Belgian why, 

Beneath Batavia's sultry sky. 

He seeks not eager to inhale 

The freshness of the mountain gale, 

Content to rear his whitened wall 

Beside the dank and dull canal? 

He'll say, from youth he loved to see 

The white sail gliding by the tree. 

Or see yon weather-beaten hind, 

Whose sluggish herds before him wind, 

Whose tattered plaid and rugged cheek 

His northern clime and kindred speak ; 

Through England's laughing meads he goes^ 

And England's wealth around him flows: 

Ask, if it would content him well. 

At ease in these gay plains to dwell, 

Where hedge-rows spread a verdant screen, 

And spires and forests intervene, 

And the neat cottage peeps between? 

No ! not for these will he exchange 

His dark Lochaber's boundless range, 

Nor for fair Devon's meads forsake 

Bennevis gray and Garry's lake. 

Thus, while I ape the measure wild 
Of tales that charmed me yet a child. 
Rude though they be, still with the chime 
Return the thoughts of earlier time; 



70 MARMION. 

And feelings, roused in life's first day, 

Glow in the line, and prompt the lay. 

Then rise those crags, that mountain tower 

Which charmed my fancy's wakening hour: 

Though no broad river swept along. 

To claim, perchance, heroic song; 

Though sighed no groves in summer gale. 

To prompt of love a softer tale ; 

Though scarce a puny streamlet's speed 

Claimed homage from a shepherd's reed, 

Yet was poetic impulse given, 

By the green hill and clear blue heaven. 

It was a barren scene, and wild. 

Where naked cliffs were rudely piled : 

But ever and anon between 

Lay velvet tufts of loveliest green ; 

And well the lonely infant knew 

Recesses where the wall-flower grew, 

And honey-suckle loved to crawl 

Up the low crag and ruined wall. 

I deemed such nooks the sweetest shade 

The sun in all his round surveyed ; 

And still I thought that shattered tower 

The mightiest work of human power; 

And marvelled, as the aged hind 

With some stranger tale bewitched my mind, 

Or forayers, who, with headlong force, 

Down from that strength had spurred their 

horse. 
Their southern rapine to renew. 
Far in the distant Cheviots blue. 
And, home returning, filled the hall 
With revel, wassel-rout, and brawl — 
Methought that still with tramp and clang 



MARMION. 71 

The gateway's broken arches rang; 

Methought grim features, seamed with scars, 

Glared through the window's rusty bars. 

And ever, by the winter hearth. 

Old tales I heard of woe or mirth, 

Of lovers* sleights, of ladies' charms. 

Of witches* spells, of warriors' arms; 

Of patriot battles, won of old 

By Wallace wight and Bruce the bold ; 

Of later fields of feud and fight. 

When, pouring from their Highland height, 

The Scottish clans, in headlong sway. 

Had swept the scarlet ranks away. 

While stretched at length upon the floor. 

Again I fought each combat o'er, 

Pebbles and shells, in order laid. 

The mimic ranks of war displayed ; 

And onward still the Scottish Lion bore. 

And still the scattered Southron fled before. 

Still, with vain fondness, could I trace, 
Anew, each kind familiar face, 
That brightened at our evening fire ; 
From the thatched mansion's gray-haired Sire, 
Wise without learning, plain and good, 
And sprung of Scotland's gentler blood; 
Whose eye in age, quick, clear, and keen, 
Showed what in youth its glance had been ; 
Whose doom discording neighbors sought. 
Content with equity unbought; 
To him the venerable Priest, 
Our frequent and familiar guest, 
Whose life and manners well could paint 
Alike the student and the saint; 



72 MARMION. 

Alas ! whose speech too oft I broke 
With gambol rude and timeless joke : 
For I was wayward, bold, and wild, 
A self-willed imp, a grandame's child; 
But half a plague, and half a jest, 
Was still endured, beloved, caressed. 

From me, thus nurtured, dost thou ask 
The classic poet's well-conned task? 
Nay, Erskine, nay — on the wild hill 
Let the wild heathbell flourish still ; 
Cherish the tulip, prune the vine, 
But freely let the woodbine twine, 
And leave untrimmed the eglantine : 
Nay, my friend, nay — since oft thy praise 
Hath given fresh vigor to my lays. 
Since oft thy judgment could refine 
My flattened thought, or cumbrous line, 
Still kind, as is thy wont, attend, 
And in the minstrel spare the friend. 
Though wild as cloud, as stream, as gale, 
Flov/ forth, flow unrestrained, my tale! 



MARMION. 73 



CANTO THIRD. 

THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 



The livelong day Lord Marmion rode : 
The mountain path the Palmer showed ; 
By glen and streamlet winded still, 
Where stunted birches hid the rill. 
They might not choose the lowland road. 
For the Merse forayers were abroad, 
Who, fired with hate and thirst of prey, 
Had scarcely failed to bar their way. 
Oft on the trampling band, from crown 
Of some tall cliff, the deer looked down ; 
On wing of jet, from his repose 
In the deep heath, the black-cock rose ; 
Sprung from the gorse the timid roe, 
Nor waited for the bending bow ; 
And when the stony path began. 
By which the naked peak they wan. 
Up flew the snowy ptarmigan. 
The noon had long been passed before 
They gained the height of Lammermoor; 
Thence winding down the northern way. 
Before them, at the close of day. 
Old Gifford's towers and hamlet lay. 



74 MARMION. 

II. 

No summons calls them to the tower, 

To spend the hospitable hour. 

To Scotland's camp the Lord was gone; 

His cautious dame, in bower alone, 

Dreaded her castle to unclose, 

So late, to unknown friends or foes. 
On through the hamlet as they paced, 
Before a porch, whose front was graced 
With bush and flagon trimly placed, 
Lord Marmion drew his rein: 

The village inn seemed large though rude, 

Its cheerful fire and hearty food 
Might well relieve his train. 

Down from their seats the horsemen sprung, 

With jingling spurs the court-yard rung; 

They bind their horses to the stall, 

For forage, food, and firing call, 

And various clamor fills the hall. 

Weighing the labor with the cost. 

Toils everywhere the bustling host. 

III. 

Soon by the chimney's merry blaze. 
Through the rude hostel might you gaze ; 
Might see, where, in dark nook aloof. 
The rafters, of the sooty roof 

Bore wealth of winter cheer; 
Of sea-fowl dried, and solands store, 
And gammons of the tusky boar. 

And savory haunch of deer. 
The chimney arch projected wide; 
Above, around it, and beside, 



MARMION. 75 

Were tools for housewives' hand: 
Nor wanted, in that martial day, 
The implements of Scottish fray, 

The buckler, lance, and brand. 
Beneath its shade, the place of state, 
On oaken settle Marmion sate. 
And viewed around the blazing hearth, 
His followers mix in noisy mirth, 
Whom with brown ale, in jolly tide, 
From ancient vessels ranged aside, 
Full actively their host supplied. 

IV. 

Theirs was the glee of martial breast, 
And laughter theirs at little jest; 
And oft Lord Marmion deigned to aid, 
And mingle in the mirth they made: 
For though, with men of high degree, 
The proudest of the proud was he, 
Yet, trained in camps, he knew the art 
To win the soldier's hardy heart. 
They love a captain to obey, 
Boisterous as March, yet fresh as May; 
With open hand, and brow as free, 
Lover of wine and minstrelsy; 
Ever the first to scale a tower. 
As venturous in a lady's bower; 
Such buxom chief shall lead his host 
From India's fires to Zembla's frost. 



Resting upon his pilgrim staff, 

Right opposite the Palmer stood; 
His thin dark visage seen but half, 



76 MARMION. 

Half hidden by his hood. 
Still fixed on Marmion was his look, 
Which he, who ill such gaze could brook, 

Strove by a frown to quell ; 
But not for that, though more than once 
Full met their stern encountering glance, 

The Palmer's visage fell. 

VI. 

By fits less frequent from the crowd 
Was heard the burst of laughter loud; 
For still, as squire and archer stared 
On that dark face and matted beard, 

Their glee and game declined. 
' All gazed at length in silence drear, 
Unbroke, save when in comrade's ear 
Some yeoman, wondering in his fear. 

Thus whispered forth his mind: — 
*'Saint Mary! saw'st thou e'er such sight? 
How pale his cheek, his eye how bright. 
Whene'er the fire-brand's fickle light 

Glances beneath his cowl ! 
Full on our Lord he sets his eye; 
For his best pelfry, would not I 

Endure that sullen scowl." — 

VII. 

But Marmion, as to chase the awe 

Which thus had quelled their hearts, who saw 

The ever- varying firelight show 

That figure stern and face of woe, 

Now called upon a squire : — 
**Fitz-Eustace, know'st thou not some lay. 



MARMION. 77 

To speed the lingering night away? 
We slumber by the fire." 

VIII. 

*'So please you," thus the youth rejoined, 
**Our choicest minstrel's left behind. 
Ill may we hope to please your ear, 
Accustomed Constant's strains to hear. 
The harp full deftly can he strike. 
And wake the lover's lute alike; 
To dear Saint Valentine, no thrush 
Sings livelier from a spring-tide bush; 
No nightingale her love-lorn tune 
More sweetly warbles to the moon. 
Woe to the cause, whate'er it be. 
Detains fom us his melody, 
Lavished on rocks, and billows stern, 
Or duller monks of Lindisfarne. 
Now must I venture as I may, 
To sing his favorite roundelay. " 

IX. 

A deep voice Fitz- Eustace had. 
The air he chose was wild and sad; 
Such have I heard, in Scottish land, 
Rise from the busy harvest band, 
When falls before the mountaineer. 
On lowland plains, the ripened ear. 
Now one shrill voice the notes prolong, 
Now a wild chorus swells the song: 
Oft have I listened, and stood still, 
As it came softened up the hill. 
And deemed it the lament of men 
Who languished for their native glen; 



78 MARMION. 

And thought, how sad would be such sound, 
On Susquehanna's swampy ground, 
Kentucky's wood-encumbered brake, 
Or wild Ontario's boundless lake, 
Where heart-sick exiles, in the strain, 
Recalled fair Scotland's hills again! 

X. 

SONG. 

Where shall the lover rest. 

Whom the fates sever 
From his true maiden's breast. 

Parted forever? 
Where, through groves deep and high, 

Sounds the far billow, 
Where early violets die, 

Under the willow. 

CHORUS. 

Eleu loro, etc. Soft shall be his pillow. 

There, through the summer day, 

Cool streams are laving; 
There, while the tempests sway^ 

Scarce are boughs waving ; 
There, thy rest shalt thou take, 

Parted forever. 
Never again to wake, 

Never, O never. 

CHORUS. 

Eleu loro, etc. Never, O never. 



MARMION. 79 



XI. 



Where shall the traitor rest, 

He, the deceiver, 
Who could win maiden's breast. 

Ruin, and leave her? 
In the lost battle, 

Borne down by the flying, 
Where mingles war's rattle, 

With groans of the dying. 

CHORUS. 

Eleu loro, etc. There shall he be lying. 

Her wing shall the eagle flap 

O'er the false-hearted; 
His warm blood the wolf shall lap, 

Ere life be parted. 
Shame and dishonor sit 

By his grave ever ; 
Blessing shall hallow it, — 

Never, O never. 

CHORUS. 

Eleu loro, etc. Never, O never. 

XII. 

It ceased, the melancholy sound; 
And silence sunk on all around. 
The air was sad ; but sadder still 

It fell on Marmion's ear, 
And plained as if disgrace and ill, 

And shameful death were near. 
He drew his mantle past his face, 



80 MARMION. 

Between it and the band, 
And rested with his head a space, 

Reclining on his hand. 
His thoughts I scan not ; but I ween, 
That, could their import have been seen. 
The meanest groom in all the hall. 
That ere tied courser to a stall, 
Would scarce have wished to be their prey, 
For Lutterward and Fontenaye. 

XIII. 

High minds, of native pride and force, 
Most deeply feel thy pangs, Remorse ! 
Fear, for their scourge, mean villains have, 
Thou art the torturer of the brave ; 
Yet fatal strength they boast to steel 
Their minds to bear the wounds they feel; 
Even while they writhe beneath the smart 
Of civil conflict in the heart. 
For soon Lord Marmion raised his head, ^ 
And, smiling, to Fitz-Eustace said: — 
*'Is it not strange, that, as ye sung, 
Seemed in mine ear a death-peal rung, 
Such as in nunneries they toll 
For some departing sister's soul? 

Say, what may this portend?** 
Then first the Palmer silence broke 
(The livelong day he had not spoke), 

''The death of a dear friend." 

XIV. 

Marmion, whose steady heart and eye 
Ne'er changed his worst extremity; 
Marmion, whose soul could scantly brook, 



M ARM ION. 81 

Even from his king, a haughty look ; 
Whose accent of command controlled, 
In camps, the boldest of the bold — 
Thought, look, and utterance, failed him now, 
Fallen was his glance, and flushed his brow : 

For either in the tone, 
Or something in the Palmer's look. 
So full upon his conscience strook, 

That answer he found none. 
Thus oft it haps, that when within 
They shrink at sense of secret sin 

A feather daunts the brave ; 
A fool's wild speech confounds the wise, 
And proudest princes veil their eyes 

Before their meanest slave. 

XV. 

Well might he falter! — by his aid 
Was Constance Beverley betrayed; 
Not that he augured of the doom. 
Which on the living closed the tomb. 
But, tired to hear the desperate maid 
Threaten by turns, beseech, upbraid; 
And wroth, because, in wild despair. 
She practiced on the life of Clare ; 
Its fugitive the church he gave. 
Though not a victim, but a slave ; 
And deemed restraint in convent strange, 
Would hide her wrongs, and her revenge. 
Himself, proud Henry's favorite peer, 
Held Romish thunders, idle fear. 
Secure his pardon he might hold. 
For some slight mulct of penance-gold. 
Thus judging, he gave secret way, 

6 Marmion 



82 MARMION. 

When the stern priests surprised their prey: 
His train but deemed the favorite page 
Was left behind, to spare his age ; 
Or other if they deemed, none dared 
To mutter what he thought and heard: 
Woe to the vassal, who durst pry 
Into Lord Marmion's privacy! 

XVI. 

His conscience slept — he deemed her well, 
And safe secured in distant cell ; 
But, wakened by her favorite lay, , 
And that strange Palmer's boding say. 
That fell so ominous and drear, 
Full on the object of his fear. 
To aid remorse's venomed throes. 
Dark tales of convent vengeance rose ; 
And Constance, late betrayed and scorned, 
All lovely on his soul returned : 
Lovely as when, at treacherous call, 
She left her convent's peaceful wall, 
Crimsoned with shame, with terror mute, 
Dreading alike escape, pursuit, 
Till love, victorious o'er alarms. 
Hid fears and blushes in his arms. 

XVII. 

**Alas!" he thought, '*how changed that mien! 

How changed these timid looks have been, 

Since years of guilt, and of disguise, 

Have steeled her brow, and armed her eyes! 

No more of virgin terror speaks 

The blood that mantles in her cheeks ,• 

Fierce, and unfeminine, are there, 



MARMION. 83 

Frenzy for joy, for grief despair; 

And I the cause — for whom were given 

Her peace on earth, her hopes in heaven ! — 

Would,** thought he, as the picture grows, 

•'I on its stalk had left the rose! 

Oh, why should man's success remove 

The very charms that wake his love ! 

Her convent's peaceful solitude 

Is now a prison harsh and rude ; 

And pent within the narrow cell. 

How will her spirit chafe and swell ! 

How brook the stern monastic laws ! 

The penance how — and I the cause! — 

Vigil and scourge — perhaps even worse;** — 

And twice he rose to cry *'to horse!'* 

And twice his sovereign's mandate came, 

Like damp upon a kindling flame ; 

And twice he thought, **Gave I not charge 

She should be safe, though not at large? 

They durst not, for their island, shred 

One golden ringlet from her head.'* 

XVIII. 

While thus in Marmion's bosom strove 

Repentance and reviving love, 

Like whirlwinds, whose contending sway 

I've seen Loch Vennachar obey, 

Their Host, the Palmer's speech had heard, 

And, talkative, took up the word : — 

**Ay, reverend Pilgrim, you, who stray 

From Scotland's simple land away, 
To visit realms afar, 

Full often learn the art to know, 

Of future weal or future woe, 



84 MARMION. 

By word, or sign, or star; 
Yet might a knight his fortune hear, 
If, knight-like, he despises fear. 
Not far from hence : — if fathers old 
Aright our hamlet legend told.'* — 
These broken words the menials move 
(For marvels still the vulgar love) ; 
And, Marmion giving licence cold. 
His tale the Host thus gladly told. 

XIX. 

THE host's tale. 

**A clerk could tell what years have flown 

Since Alexander filled our throne, 

Third monarch of that warlike name, 

And eke the time when here he came 

To seek Sir Hugo, then our lord: 

A braver never drew a sword ; 

A wiser never, at the hour 

Of midnight, spoke the word of power; 

The same, whom ancient records call 

The founder of the Goblin Hall. 

I would, Sir Knight, your longer stay 

Gave you that cavern to survey. 

Of lofty roof, and ample size, 

Beneath the castle deep it lies: 

To hew the living rock profound, 

The floor to pave, the arch to round, 

There never toiled a mortal arm, 

It all was wrought by word and charm 

And I have heard my grandsire say, 

That the wild clamor and affray 

Of those dread artisans of hell, 



MARMION. 85 

Who labored tinder Hugo's spell, 
Sounded as loud as ocean's war, 
Among the caverns of Dunbar. 

XX. 

**The king Lord Gifford's castle sought, 

Deep-laboring with uncertain thought: 

Even then he mustered all his host, 

To meet upon the western coast; 

For Norse and Danish galleys plied 

Their oars within the firth of Clyde. 

There floated Haco's banner trim, 

Above Norweyan warriors grim, 

Savage of heart, and large of limb ; 

Threatening both continent and isle, 

Bute, Arran, Cunninghame, and Kyle. 

Lord Gifford, deep beneath the ground. 

Heard Alexander's bugle sound, 

And tarried not his garb to change, 

But, in his wizard habit strange, 

Came forth, a quaint and fearful sight ; 

His mantle lined with fox-skins white; 

His high and wrinkled forehead bore 

A pointed cap, such as of yore 

Clerks say that Pharaoh's Magi wore; 

His shoes were marked with cross and spell: 

Upon his breast a pentacle ; 

His zone, of virgin parchment thin. 

Or, as some tell, of dead man's skin, 

Bore many a planetary sign. 

Combust, and retrograde, and trine; 

And in his hand he held prepared, 

A naked sword without a guard. 



86 MARMION. 

XXI. 

*'Dire dealings with the fiendish race 
Had marked strange lines upon his face; 
Vigil and fast had worn him grim, 
His eyesight dazzled seemed, and dim, 
As one unused to upper day; 
Even his own menials with dismay 
Beheld, Sir Knight, the grisly sire. 
In his unwonted wild attire; 
Unwonted, for traditions run 
He seldom thus beheld the sun. 
*I know,* he said, — his voice was hoarse, 
And broken seemed its hollow force, — 
*I know the cause, although untold. 
Why the king seeks his vassal's hold: 
Vainly from me my liege would know 
His kingdom's future weal or woe; 
But yet, if strong his arm and heart, 
His courage may do more than art. 

XXII. 

'' 'Of middle air the demons proud, 
Who ride upon the racking cloud, 
Can read, in fixed or wandering star, 
The issue of events afar; 
But still their sullen aid withhold. 
Save when by mightier force controlled. 
Such late I summoned to my hall ; 
And though so potent was the call, 
That scarce the deepest nook of hell 
I deemed a refuge from the spell, 
Yet, obstinate in silence still. 
The haughty demon mocks my skill. 



MARMION. 87 

But thou, — who little know'st thy might, 

As born upon that blessed night, 

When yawning graves, and dying groan, 

Proclaimed hell's empire overthrown, — 

With untaught valor shalt compel 

Response, denied to magic spell. * — 

*Gramercy, ' quoth our Monarch free, 

* Place him but front to front with me, 

And, by this good and honored brand, 

The gift of Cceur-de Leon's hand, 

Soothly I swear, that, tide what tide. 

The demon shall a buffet bide. ' — 

His bearing bold the wizard viewed, 

And thus, well pleased, his speech renewed : — 

'There spoke the blood of Malcolm! — mark: 

Forth pacing hence, at midnight dark. 

The ramparts seek, whose circling crown 

Crests the ascent of yonder down ; 

A southern entrance shalt thou find ; 

There halt, and there the bugle wind, 

And trust thine elfin foe to see. 

In guise of thy worst enemy; 

Couch then thy lance, and spur thy steed — 

Upon him! and St. George to speed! 

If he go down, thou soon shalt know 

Whatever these airy sprites can show;— 

If thy heart fail thee in the strife, 

I am no warrant for thy life. * 

XXIII. 

*'Soon as the midnight bell did ring, 

Alone, and armed, forth rode the King 

To that old camp's deserted round: 

Sir Knight, you well might mark the mound, 



88 MARMION. 

Left hand the town, — the Pictish race 
The trench, long since, in blood did trace ; 
The moor around is brown and bare, 
The space within is green and fair. 
The spot our village children know, 
For there the earliest wild flowers grow; 
But woe betide the wandering wight. 
That treads its circle in the night ! 
The breath across, a bowshot clear. 
Gives ample space for full career; 
Opposed to the four points of heaven. 
By four deep gaps is entrance given. 
The southernmost the monarch passed, 
Halted, and blew a gallant blast; 
And on the north, within the ring, 
Appeared the form of England's king, 
Who then a thousand leagues afar. 
In Palestine waged holy war: 
Yet arms like England's did he wield, 
Alike the leopards in the shield. 
Alike his Syrian courser's frame, 
The rider's length of limb the same: 
Long afterward did Scotland know. 
Fell Edward was her deadliest foe. 

XXIV. 

**The vision made our Monarch start, 
But soon he manned his noble heart, 
And in the first career they ran. 
The Elfin Knight fell horse and man; 
Yet did a splinter of his lance 
Through Alexander's visor glance. 
And razed the skin — a puny wound. 
The King, light leaping to the ground, 



MARMION. 89 

With naked blade his phantom foe 

Compelled the future war to show. 
Of Largs he saw the glorious plain, 
Where still gigantic bones remain, 

Memorial of the Danish war: 
Himself he saw amid the field. 
On high his brandished war-axe wield. 
And strike proud Haco from his car, 
While all around the shadowy kings, 
Denmark^s grim ravens cowered their wings. 

'Tis said, that, in that awful night, 

Remoter visions met his sight. 

Foreshowing future conquests far. 

When our sons' sons wage northern war; 

A royal city, tower and spire, 

Reddening the midnight sky with jfire; 

And shouting crews her navy bore, 

Triumphant, to the victor shore. 

Such signs may learned clerks explain. 

They pass the wit of simple swain. 

XXV. 

**The joyful King turned home again, 
Headed his host, and quelled the Dane; 
But yearly, when returned the night 
Of his strange combat with the sprite. 

His wound must bleed and smart; 
Lord Gifford then would gibing gay, 
*Bold as ye were, my liege, ye pay 

The penance of your start. ' 
Long since, beneath Dunfermline's nave, 
King Alexander fills his grave, 

Our Lady give him rest! 
Yet still the nightly spear and shield 



90 MARMION. 

The Elfin warrior doth wield, 

Upon the brown hill's breast; 
And many a knight hath proved his chance 
In the charmed ring to break a lance, 

But all have folly sped ; 
Save two, as legends tell, and they 
Were Wallace wight, and Hilbert Hay. — 

Gentles, my tale is said. * * 

XXVI, 

The quaighs were deep, the liquor strong, 
And on the tale the yeoman throng 
Had made a comment sage and long, 

But Marmion gave a sign ; 
And, with their lord, the squires retire ; 
The rest around the hostel fire. 

Their drowsy limbs recline ; 
For pillow, underneath each head, 
The quiver and the targe were laid: 
Deep slumbering on the hostel floor, 
Oppressed with toil and ale, they snore : 
The dying flame, in fitful change. 
Threw on the group its shadows strange. 

XXVII. 

Apart, and nestling in the hay 
Of a waste loft, Fitz- Eustace lay; 
Scarce, by the pale moonlight, were seen 
The foldings of his mantle green : 
Lightly he dreamt, as youth will dream, 
Of sport by thicket, or by stream. 
Of hawk or hound, of ring or glove, 
Or, lighter yet, of lady's love. 
A cautious tread his slumber broke, 



MARMION. 91 

And, close beside him, when he woke. 
In moonbeam half, and half in gloom, 
Stood a tall form with nodding plume; 
But. ere his dagger Eustace drew 
His master Marmion's voice he knew. 

XXVIII. 

— '*Fitz-Eustace! rise, — I cannot rest. 
Yon churl's wild legend haunts my breast, 
And graver thoughts have chafed my mood ; 
The air must cool my feverish blood ; 
And fain would I ride forth, to see 
The scene of elfin chivalry. 
Arise, and saddle me my steed ; 
And, gentle Eustace, take good heed 
Thou dost not rouse these drowsy slaves ; 
I would not, that the prating knaves 
Had cause for saying, o'er their ale. 
That I could credit such a tale. ' * 
Then softly down the steps they slid, 
Eustace the stable door undid. 
And, darkling, Marmion's steed arrayed, 
While, whispering, thus the Baron said : 

XXIX. 

**Did'st never, good my youth, hear tell, 

That in the hour when I was born, 
St. George, who graced my sire's chapelle, 
Down from his steed of marble fell, 

A weary wight forlorn? 
The flattering chaplains all agree, 
The champion left his steed to me : 
I would, the omen's truth to show. 
That I could meet this Elfin Foe ! 



92 MARMION. 

Blithe would I battle for the right 
To ask one question at the sprite: — 
Vain thought! for elves, if elves there be, 
An empty race, by fount or sea, 
To dashing waters dance and sing. 
Or round the green oak wheel their ring." 
Thus speaking, he his steed bestrode, 
And from the hostel slowly rode. 

XXX. 

Fitz-Eustace followed him abroad, 
And marked him pace the village road, 

And listened to his horse's tramp. 
Till, by the lessening sound, 

He judged that of the Pictish camp 
Lord Marmion sought the round. 
Wonder it seemed, in the squire's eyes. 
That one, so wary held, and wise, — 
Of whom 'twas said, he scarce received 
For gospel, what the church believed, — 

Should, stirred by idle tale. 
Ride forth in silence of the night, 
As hoping half to meet a sprite, 

Arrayed in plate and mail. 
For little did Fitz-Eustace know, 
That passions, in contending flow, 

Unfix the strongest mind; 
Wearied from doubt to doubt to flee 
We welcome fond credulity. 

Guide confident, though blind. 

XXXI. 

Little for this Fitz-Eustace cared, 
But, patient, waited till he heard, 



MARMION. 93 

At distance, pricked to utmost speed, 

The foot-tramp of a flying steed, 
Come town- ward rushing on: 

First, dead, as if on turf it trod, 

Then, clattering on the village road, — 

In other pace than forth he rode 
Returned Lord Marmion. 
Down hastily he sprung from selle. 
And, in his haste, well-nigh he fell; 
To the squire's hand the rein he threw. 
And spoke no word, as he withdrew ; 
But yet the moonlight did betray, 
The falcon-crest was soiled with clay; 
And plainly might Fitz-Eustace see. 
By stains upon the charger's knee, 
And his left side, that on the moor 
He had not kept his footing sure. 
Long musing on these wondrous signs; 
At length to rest the squire reclines, 
Broken and short; for still, between. 
Would dreams of terror intervene : 
Eustace did ne'er so blithely mark 
The first notes of the morning lark. 



94 MARMION. 



INTRODUCTION TO CANTO FOURTH. 

TO JAMES SKENE, ESQ. 

Ashtiel, Ettricke Forest. 

An ancient Minstrel sagely said, 

** Where is the life which late we led?*' 

That motley clown, in Arden wood, 

Whom humorous Jacques with envy viewed^ 

Not even that clown could amplify. 

On this trite text, so long: as I. 

Eleven years we now may tell. 

Since we have known each other well ; 

Since riding side by side, our hand 

First drew the voluntary brand ; 

And sure, through many a varied scene, 

Unkindness never came between. 

Away these winged years have flown, 

To join the mass of ages gone; 

And though deep marked, like all below, 

With chequered shades of joy and woe ; 

Though thou o'er realms and seas hast ranged^. 

Marked cities lost, and empires changed, 

While here, at home, my narrower ken 

Somewhat of manners saw, and men : 

Though varying wishes, hopes, and fears, 

Fevered the progress of these years. 

Yet now, days, weeks, and months, but seem: 

The recollection of a dream, 



MARMION. 95 

So still we glide down to the sea 
Of fathomless eternity. 

Even now, it scarcely seems a day, 
Since first I tuned this idle lay; 
A task so often throv/n aside. 
When leisure graver cares denied, 
That now, November's dreary gale. 
Whose voice inspired my opening tale. 
That same November gale once more 
Whirls the dry leaves on Yarrow shore ; 
Their vexed boughs streaming to the sky. 
Once more our naked birches sigh ; 
And Blackhouse heights, and Ettricke Pen, 
Have donned their wintery shrouds again; 
And mountain dark, and flooded mead, 
Bid us forsake the banks of Tweed. 
Earlier than wont along the sky. 
Mixed with the rack, the snow-mists fly: 
The shepherd, who, in summer sun. 
Has something of our envy won, 
As thou with pencil, I with pen, 
The features traced of hill and glen ; 
He who, outstretched, the livelong day. 
At ease among the heath-flowers lay, 
Viewed the light clouds with vacant look, 
Or slumbered o'er his tattered book. 
Or idly busied him to guide 
His angle o'er the lessened tide; — 
At midnight now, the snowy plain 
Finds sterner labor for the swain. 

When red hath set the beamless sun, 
Through heavy vapors dank and dun ; 



96 MARMION. 

When the tired ploughman, dry and warm, 

Hears, half asleep, the rising* storm 

Hurling the hail, and sleeted rain, 

Against the casement's tinkling pane; 

The sounds that drive wild deer, and fox, 

To shelter in the brake and rocks. 

Are warnings which the shepherd ask 

To dismal and to dangerous task. 

Oft he looks forth, and hopes, in vain, 

The blast may sink in mellowing rain; 

Till, dark above, and white below. 

Decided drives the flaky snow. 

And forth the hardy swain must go. 

Long, with dejected look and whine, 

To leave the hearth his dogs repine ; 

Whistling, and cheering them to aid. 

Around his back he wreathes the plaid: 

His flock he gathers, and he guides 

To open downs, and mountain sides. 

Where, fiercest though the tempest TdIow, 

Least deeply lies the drift below. 

The blast, that whistles o'er the fells. 

Stiffens his locks to icicles ; 

Oft he looks back, while, streaming far, 

His cottage window seems a star, — 

Loses its feeble gleam, — and then 

Turns patient to the blast again, 

And, facing to the tempest's sweep, 

Drives through the gloom his lagging sheep; 

If fails his heart, if his limbs fail. 

Benumbing death is in the gale ; 

His paths, his landmarks — all unknown, 

Close to the hut, no more his own, 

Close to the aid he sought in vain, 



MARMION. 97 

The morn may find the stiffened swain: 
His widow sees, at dawning pale, 
His orphans raise their feeble wail ; 
And close beside him, in the snow. 
Poor Yarrow, partner of their woe, 
Couches upon his master's breast, 
And licks his cheek, to break his rest. 

Who envies now the shepherd's lot, 
His healthy fare, his rural cot. 
His summer couch by greenwood tree, 
His rustic kirn's loud revelry. 
His native hill notes, tuned on high, 
To Marion of the blithsome eye ; 
His crook, his scrip, his oaten reed, 
And all Arcadia's golden creed? 

Changes not so with us, my Skene, 
Of human life the varying scene? 
Our youthful summer oft we see 
Dance by on wings of game and glee. 
While the dark storm reserves its rage, 
Against the winter of our age: 
As he, the ancient chief of Troy, 
His manhood spent in peace and joy; 
But Grecian fires, and loud alarms, 
Called ancient Priam forth to arms. 
Then happy those, — since each must drain 
His share of pleasure, share of pain, — 
Then happy those, beloved of heaven, 
To whom the mingled cup is given ; 
Whose lenient sorrows find relief. 
Whose joys are chastened by their grief. 
And such a lot, my Skene, was thine, 

7 Marmion 



98 MARMION. 

When thou of late wert doomed to twine, - 
Just when thy bridal hour was by, — 
The cypress with the myrtle tie ; 
Just on thy bride thy Sire had smiled, 
And blessed the union of his child, 
When love must change its joyous cheer, 
And wipe affection's filial tear. 
Nor did the actions next his end. 
Speak more the father than the friend: 
Scarce had lamented Forbes paid 
The tribute to his Minstrel's shade; 
The tale of friendship scarce was told. 
Ere the narrator's heart was cold. 
Far may we search before we find 
A heart so manly and so kind. 
But not around his honored urn. 
Shall friends alone, and kindred mourn; 
The thousand eyes his care had dried, 
Pour at his name a bitter tide ; 
And frequent falls the grateful dew. 
For benefits the world ne'er knew. 
If mortal charity dare lay claim 
The Almighty's attributed name, 
Inscribe above his mouldering clay, 
'*The widow's shield, the orphan's stay." 
Nor, though it wake th)^ sorrow, deem 
My verse intrudes on this sad theme; 
For sacred was the pen that wrote, — 
**Thy father's friend forget thou not." 
And grateful title may I plead. 
For many a kindly word and deed, 
To bring my tribute to his grave: — 
'Tis little— but 'tis all I have. 



MARMION. 99 

To thee, perchance, this rambling strain 
Recalls our summer walks again ; 
When doing nought, — and, to speak true, 
Not anxious to find aught to do, — 
The wild unbounded hills we ranged ; 
While oft our talk its topic changed, 
And desultory, as our way. 
Ranged unconfined from grave to gay. 
Even when it flagged, as oft will chance, 
No effort made to break its trance, 
We could right pleasantly pursue 
Our sports in social silence too. 
Thou gravely laboring to portray 
The blighted oak's fantastic spray; 
I spelling o'er, with much delight. 
The legend of that antique knight, 
Tirante by name, ycleped the White. 
At cither's feet a trusty squire, 
Padour and Camp, with eyes of fire. 
Jealous, each other's motions viewed, 
And scarce suppressed their ancient feud. 
The laverock whistled from the cloud; 
The stream was lively, but not loud ; 
From the white-thorn the May-flower shed 
Its dewy fragrance round our head ; 
Not Ariel lived more merrily 
Under the blossomed bough than we. 

And blithesome nights, too have been ours. 
When winter stripped the summer's bowers; 
Careless we heard, what now I hear. 
The wild blast sighing deep and drear. 
When fires were bright, and lamps beamed gay, 
And ladies tuned the lovely lay ; 



100 MARMION. 

And he was held a laggard soul, 
Who shunned to quaff the sparkling bowl. 
Then he, whose absence we deplore, 
Who breathes the gales of Devon's shore. 
The longer missed, bewailed the more ; 

And thou, and I, and dear-loved R , 

And one whose name I may not say — 

For not Mimosa's tender tree 

Shrinks sooner from the touch than he — 

In merry chorus, well combined. 

With laughter drowned the whistling wind. 

Mirth was within ; and Care without 

Might gnaw her nails to hear our shout. 

Not but amid the buxom scene. 

Some grave discourse might intervene — 

Of the good horse that bore him best. 

His shoulder, hoof, and arching crest : 

For, like mad Tom's, our chiefest care. 

Was horse to ride, and weapon wear. 

Such nights we've had, and, though the game 

Of manhood be more sober tame. 

And though the field day, or the drill. 

Seem less important now — yet still 

Such may we hope to share again. 

The sprightly thought inspires my strain ; 

And mark, how like a horseman true. 

Lord Marmion's march I thus renew. 



MARMION. 101 



CANTO FOURTH. 

THE CAMP. 



Eustace, I said, did blithely mark 
The first notes of the merry lark. 
The lark sung shrill, the cock he crew, 
And loudly Marmion*s bugles blew. 
And, with their light and lively call. 
Brought groom and yeoman to the stall. 

Whistling they came, and free of heart; 
But soon their mood was changed : 

Complaint was heard on every part. 
Of something disarranged. 
Some clamored loud for armor lost ; 
Some brawled and wrangled with the host ; 
''By Becket's bones,*' cried one, ''I fear 
That some false Scot has stolen my spear!'* 
Young Blount, Lord Marmion's second squire, 
Found his steed wet with sweat and mire, 
Although the rated horse-boy sware, 
Last night he dressed him sleek and fair. 
While chafed the impatient squire like thunder, 
Old Hubert shouts, in far and wonder, — 
*'Help, gentle Blount! help, comrades all! 
Bevis lies dying in his stall : 
To Marmion who the plight dare tell, 
Of the good steed he loves so well?'* 



102 MARMION. 

Gaping" for fear and ruth, they saw 
The charger panting on his straw; 
Till one, who would seem wisest, cried, 
**What else but evil could betide, 
With that cursed Palmer for our guide? 
Better we had through mire and bush 
Been lanthorn-led by Friar Rush.*' 



Fitz-Eustace, who the cause but guessed, 

Nor wholly understood. 
His comrades' clamorous plaints suppressed; 

He knew Lord Marmion's mood. 
Him, ere he issued forth, he sought. 
And found deep-plunged in gloomy thought. 

And did his tale display 
Simply, as if he knew of nought 

To cause such disarray. 
Lord Marmion gave attention cold. 
Nor marvelled at the wonders told, — 
Passed them as accidents of course, 
And bade his clarions sound to horse. 

III. 

Young Henry Blount, meanwhile, the cost 
Had reckoned who their Scottish host; 
And, as the charge he cast and paid, 
**I11 thou deserv'st thy hire," he said; 
**Dost see, thou knave, my horse's plight? 
Fairies have ridden him all the night. 

And left him in a foam! 
I trust, that soon a conjuring band, 
With English cross and blazing brand, 
Shall drive the devils from this land. 



MARMION. 103 

To their infernal home; 
For in this haunted den, I trow, 
All night they trampled to and fro." 
The laughing host looked on the hire, — 
*'Gramercy, gentle southern squire, 
And if thou com'st among the rest 
With Scottish broad-sword to be blessed. 
Sharp be the brand, and sure the blow. 
And short the pang to undergo. *' — 
Here stayed their talk — for Marmion 
Gave now the signal to set on. 
The Palmer showing forth the way. 
They journeyed all the morning day. 

IV. 

The green-sward way was smooth and good, 
Through Humbie's and through Saltoun's 

wood; 
A forest glade, which, varying still. 
Here gave a view of dale and hill ; 
There narrower closed, till over head 
A vaulted screen the branches made. 
'*A pleasant path," Fitz-Eustace said; 
**Such as where errant knights might see 
Adventures of high chivalry; 
Might meet some damsel flying fast. 
With hair unbound, and looks aghast; 
And smooth and level course were here. 
In her defense to break a spear. 
Here, too, are twilight nooks and dells; 
And oft, in such, the story tells, 
The damsel kind, from danger freed. 
Did grateful pay her champion's meed. " — 
He spoke to cheer Lord Marmion's mind; 



104 MARMION. 

Perchance to show his lore designed ; 

For Eustace much had pored 
Upon a huge romantic tome, 
In the hall window of his home, 
Imprinted at the antique dome— 

Of Caxton or De Worde. 
Therefore he spoke — but spoke in vain. 
For Marmion answered nought again. 



Now sudden distant trumpets shrill, 
In notes prolonged by wood and hill, 

'\Vere heard to echo far ; 
Each ready archer grasped his bow, 
But by the flourish soon they know, 

They breathed no point of war. 
Yet cautious, as in foeman's land. 
Lord Marmion's order speeds the band. 

Some opener ground to gain ; 
And scarce a furlong had they rode, 
When thinner trees, receding, showed 

A little woodland plain. 
Just in that advantageous glade, 
The halting troop a line had made. 
As forth from the opposing shade 

Issued a gallant train. 

VI. 

First came the trumpets, at whose clang 

So late the forest echoes rang ; 

On prancing steeds they forward pressed, 

With scarlet mantle, azure vest; 
Each at his trump a banner wore. 
Which Scotland's royal scutcheon bore; 



MARMION. 105 

Heralds and pursuivants, by name 
Bute, Islay, Marchmount, Rothsay, came 
In painted tabards, proudly showing. 
Gules, Argent, Or, and Azure glowing, 
Attendant on a King-at-arms, 
Whose hand the armorial truncheon held, 
That feudal strife had often quelled, 
When wildest its alarms. 

VII. 

He was a man of middle age; 

In aspect manly, grave, and sage, 

As on king's errand come; 
But in the glances of his eye, 
A penetrating, keen, and sly 

Expression found its home; 
The flash of that satiric rage, 
Which, bursting on the early stage, 
Branded the vices of the age. 

And broke the keys of Rome. 
On milk-white palfrey forth he paced; 
His cap of maintenance was graced 

With the proud heron-plume. 
From his steed's shoulder, loin, and breast, 

Silk housings swept the ground, 
With Scotland's arms, device, and crest, 

Embroidered round and round. 
The double tressure might you see, 

First by Achaius borne. 
The thistle, and the fleur-de -lis. 

And gallant unicorn. 
So bright the king's armorial coat, 
That scarce the dazzled eye could note. 
In living colors, blazoned brave, 



106 MARMION. 

The Lion, which his title gave. 
A train, which well beseemed his state, 
But all unarmed, around him wait. 
Still is thy name in high account, 
And still thy verse has charms, 
Sir David Lindesay of the Mount, 
Lord Lion King-at-arms! 

VIII. 

Down from his horse did Marmion spring, 
Soon as he saw the Lion-King; 
For well the stately Baron knew, 
To him such courtesy was due, 

Whom royal James himself had crowned. 

And on his temples placed the round 
Of Scotland's ancient diadem ; 

And wet his brow with hallowed wine. 

And on his finger given to shine 
The emblematic gem. 
Their mutual greetings duly made, 
The Lion thus his message said- — 
*'Though Scotland's King hath deeply swore, 
Ne'er to knit faith with Henry more; 
And strictly hath forbid resort 
From England to his royal court; 
Yet, for he knows Lord Marmion's name, 
And honors much his warlike fame. 
My liege hath deemed it shame, and lack 
Of courtesy, to turn him back ; 
And by his order, I, your guide, 
Must lodging fit and fair provide, 
Till finds King James meet time to see 
The flower of English chivalry." 



MARMION. 107 



IX. 



Though inly chafed at this delay, 
Lord Marmion bears it as he may. 
The Palmer, his mysterious guide. 
Beholding thus his place supplied, 

Sought to take leave in vain ! 
Strict was the Lion-King's command, 
That none who rode in Marmion's band 

Should sever from the train : 
"England has here enow of spies, 
In Lady Heron's witching eyes;" 
To Marchmount thus, apart, he said. 
But fair pretext to Marmion made. 
The right-hand path they now decline, 
And trace against the stream the Tyne. 



At length up that wild dale they wind, 
Where Crichtoun Castle crowns the bank; 

For there the Lion's care assigned 
A lodging meet for Marmion's rank. 
That castle rises on the steep 

Of the green vale of Tyne ; 
And far beneath, where slow they creep 
From pool to eddy, dark and deep. 
Where alders moist, and willows weep, 

You hear her streams repine. 
The towers in different ages rose; 
Their various architecture shows 

The builders' various hands; 
A mighty mass, that could oppose, 
When deadliest hatred fired its foes, 

The vengeful Douglas bands. 



108 MARMION. 



XI. 



Crichtoun ! though now thy miry court 

But pens the lazy steer and sheep, 

Thy turrets rude, and tottered Keep, 
Have been the minstrel's loved rer.ort. 
Oft have I traced within thy fort, 

Of mouldering shields the mystic sense, 

Scutcheons of honor, or pretence. 
Quartered in old armorial sort, 

Remains of rude magnificence: 
Nor wholly yet hath time defaced 

The lordly gallery fair ; 
Nor yet the stony cord unbraced. 
Whose twisted knots, with roses laced, 

Adorn the ruined stair. 
Still rises unimpaired, below, 
The court-yard's graceful portico; 

Above its cornice, row and row 
Of fair hewn facets richly show 

Their pointed diamond form. 
Though there but houseless cattle go 

To shield them from the storm. 
And, shuddering, still may we explore, 

Where oft whilome were captives pent, 
The darkness of thy Massy More; 

Or, from the grass-grown battlement. 
May trace, in undulating line, 
The sluggish mazes of the Tyne. 

XII. 

And her aspect Crichtoun showed, 
As through its portals Marmion rode ; 
But yet 'twas melancholy state 



MARMION. 109 

Received him at the outer gate ; 

For none were in the castle then, 

But women, boys, or aged men. 

With eyes scarce dried, the sorrowing dame, 

To welcome noble Marmion came ; 

Her son, a stripling twelve years old. 

Proffered the Baron's rein to hold; 

For each man, that could draw a sword, 

Had marched that morning with their lord. 

Earl Adam Hepburn — he who died 

On Flodden, by his sovereign's side. 

Long may his lady look in vain ! 

She ne'er shall see his gallant train 

Come sweeping back through Crichtoun Dean. 

'Twas a brave race, before the name 

Of hated Bothwell stained their fame. 

XIII. 

And here two days did Marmion rest. 
With every rite that honor claims. 

Attended as the King's own guest, — 
Such the command of royal James; 
Who marshalled then his land's array, 
Upon the Borough moor that lay. 
Perchance he would not foeman's eye 
Upon his gathering host should pry. 
Till full prepared was every band 
To march against the English land. 
Here while they dwelt, did Lindesay's wit. 
Oft cheer the Baron's moodier fit; 
And, in his turn, he knew to prize 
Lord Marmion's powerful mind, and wise — 
Trained in the lore of Rome and Greece, 
And policies of war and peace. 



no MARMION. 

XIV. 

It chanced, as fell the second night, 

That on the battlements they walked, 
And, by the slowly fading light, 

Of varying topics talked ; 
And, unaware, the Herald-bard 
Said Marmion might his toil have spared, 

In travelling so far ; 
For that a messenger from heaven 
In vain to James had counsel given 

Against the English war: 
And, closer questioned, thus he told 
A tale, which chronicles of old 
In Scottish story have enrolled: — 

XV. 
SIR DAVID LINDESAy's TALE. 

**0f all the palaces so fair, 
Built for the royal dwelling, 

In Scotland, far beyond compare 
Linlithgow is excelling ; 
And in its park, in jovial June, 
How sweet the merry linnet's tune, 

How blithe the blackbird's lay! 
The wild buck bells from ferny brake, 
The coot dives merry on the lake. 
The saddest heart might pleasure take 

To see all nature gay. 
But June is to our Sovereign dear 
The heaviest month in all the year: 
Too well his cause of grief you know, — 
June saw his father's overthrow. 
Woe to the traitors, who could bring 



kARMION. Ill 

The princely boy against his King! 
Still in his conscience burns the sting. 
In offices as strict as Lent, 
King James' June is ever spent. 

XVI. 

**When last this ruthful month was come, 
And in Linlithgow's holy dome 

The King, as wont, was praying; 
While for his royal father's soul 
The chanters sung, the bells did toll, 

The Bishop mass was saying — 
For now the year brought round again 
The day the luckless king was slain — 
In Katharine's aisle the monarch knelt, 
With sackcloth shirt, and iron belt. 
And eyes with sorrow streaming ; 
Around him, in their stalls of state, 
The Thistle's Knight-Companions sate, 

Their banners o'er them beaming. 
I too was there, and sooth to tell, 
Bedeafened with the jingling knell, 
Was watching where the sunbeams fell, 

Through the stained casement gleaming; 
But, while I marked what next befell 
It seemed as I were dreaming. 
Stepped from the crowd a ghostly wight. 
In azure gown, with cincture white : 
His forehead bald, his head was bare, 
Down hung at length his yellow hair. — 
Now mock me not, when, good my lord, 
I pledge to you my knightly word. 
That, when I saw his placid grace, 
His simple-majesty of face, 



112 MARMION. 

His solemn bearing, and his pace 

So stately gliding on ; 
Seemed to me ne'er did limner paint 
So just an image of the Saint, 
Who propped the Virgin in her faint, — 

The loved Apostle John. 

XVII. 

**He stepped before the Monarch's chair, 
And stood with rustic plainness there, 

And little reverence made ; 
Nor head, nor body, bowed nor bent, 
But on the desk his arm he leant, 

And words like these he said, 
In a low voice, — but never tone 
So thrilled through vein, and nerve, and 
bone : — 

*My mother sent me from afar, 

Sir King, to warn thee not to war, — 
Woe waits on thine array ; 

If war thou wilt, of woman fair. 

Her witching wiles and wanton snare, 

James Stuart, doubly warned, beware: 
God keep thee as He may!' 

The wondering Monarch seemed to seek 

For answer, and found none ; 
And when he raised his head to speak. 

The monitor was gone. 
The Marshal and myself had cast 
To stop him as he outward passed ; 
But lighter than the whirlwind's blast, 

He vanished from our eyes, 
Like sunbeam on the billow cast. 

That gflances but, and dies.*' 




" That on the battlements they walked."— Page 110. 

Mai'inion. 



MARMION. 113 

XVIII. 

While Lindesay told this marvel strange, 

The twilight was so pale, 
He marked not Marmion's color change, 

While listening to the tale ; 
But, after a suspended pause, 
The Baron spoke: — •*0f Nature's laws 

So strong I hold the force. 
That never superhuman cause 

Could e'er control their course; 
And, three days since, had judged your aim 
Was but to make your guest your game. 
But I have seen, since past the Tweed, 
What much has changed my sceptic creed, 
And made me credit aught." — He stayed, 
And seemed to wish his words unsaid ; 

But by that strong emotion pressed, 

Which prompts us to unload our breast, 
Even when discovery is pain, 

To Lindesay did at length unfold 

The tale his village host had told, 
At Gifford, to his train. 
Nought of the Palmer says he there, 
And nought of Constance, or of Clare : 
The thoughts, which broke his sleep, he seems 
To mention but as feverish dreams. 

XIX. 

*'In vain," said he, **to rest I spread 
My burning limbs, and couched my head, 

Fantastic thoughts returned ; 
And, by their wild dominion led 

My heart within me burned. 

8 Marmion 



114 MARMION. 

So sore was the delirious goad, 
I took my steed, and forth I rode. 
And, as the moon shone bright and cold. 
Soon reached the camp upon the wold. 
The southern entrance I passed through, 
And halted, and my bugle blew. 
Methought an answer met my ear, — 
Yet was the blast so low and drear, 
So hollow, and so faintly blown. 
It might be echo of my own. 

XX. 

**Thus judging, for a little space 
I listened, ere I left the place ; 

But scarce could trust my eyes. 
Nor yet can think they serve me true, 
When sudden in the ring I view, 
In form distinct of shape and hue, 

A mounted champion rise. — 
I've fought, Lord- Lion, many a day, 
In single fight, and mixed affray. 
And ever, I myself may say. 

Have borne me as a knight; 
But when this unexpected foe 
Seemed starting from the gulf below, — 
I care not though the truth I show, — 

I trembled with affright ; 
And as I placed in rest my spear. 
My hand so shook for very fear, 

I could scarce couch it right. 

XXI. 

**Why need my tongue the issue tell? 
We ran our course, — my charger fell; — 



MARMION. 115 

What could he *gainst the shock of hell? 

I rolled upon the plain. 
High o'er my head, with threatening hand, 
The specter shook his naked brand, — 

Yet did the worst remain ; 
My dazzled eyes I upward cast,— 
Not opening hell itself could blast 

Their sight, like what I saw! 
Full on his face the moonbeam strook, — 
A face could never be mistook ! 
I knew the stern vindictive look. 

And held my breath for awe. 
I saw the face of one who, fled 
To foreign climes, has long been dead. — 

I well believe the last; 
For ne'er, from visor raised, did stare 
A human warrior, with a glare 

So grimly and so ghast. 
Thrice o'er my head he shook the lladc; 
But when to good Saint George I prayed 
(The first time e'er I asked his aiu), 

He plunged it in the sheath; 
And, on his courser mounting light, 
He seemed to vanish from my sight: 
The moonbeam drooped, and deepest night 

Sunk down upon the heath.—-- 
'Twere long to tell what cause T ]:ave 

To know his face, that met v.o there. 
Called by his hatred from the '^'.'iwe, 

To cumber upper air ; 
Dead or alive, good cause had he 
To be my mortal enemy. *' — 



116 MARMION. 

XXII. 

Marveled Sir David of the Mount; 
Then, learned in story, *gan recount 

Such chance had happed of old, 
When once, near Norham, there did fight 
A specter fell, of fiendish might, 
In likeness of a Scottish knight, 

With Brian Bulmer bold, 
And trained him nigh to disallow 
The aid of his baptismal vow. 
*'And such a phantom, too, 'tis said, 
With Highland broad-sword, targe, and plaid, 

And fingers red with gore. 
Is seen in Rothiemurcus glade, 
Or where the sable pine-trees shade 
Dark Tomantoul, and Achnaslaid, 

Dromouchty, or Glenmore. 
And yet, whate'er such legends say, 
Of warlike demon, ghost, or fay, 

On mountain, moor, or plain, 
Spotless in faith, in bosom bold, 
True son of chivalry should hold 

These midnight terrors vain : 
For seldom have such spirits power 
To harm, save in the evil hour, 
When guilt we meditate within, 
Or harbor unrepented sin.'* — 
Lord Marmion turned him half aside, 
And twice to clear his voice he tried. 

Then pressed Sir David's hand,— 
But nought, at length, in answer said ; 
And here their farther converse stayed, 

Each ordering that his band 



MARMION. 117 

Should bowne them with the rising day, 
To Scotland's camp to take their way, — 
Such was the King's command. 

XXIII. 

Early they took Du-Edin's road, 
And I could trace each step they trode, 
Hill, brook, nor dell, nor rock, nor stone 
Lies on the path to me unknown. 
Much might it boast of storied lore. 
But, passing such digression o'er. 
Suffice it, that their route was laid 
Across the furzy hills of Braid. 
They passed the glen and scanty rill. 
And climbed the opposing bank, until 
They gained the top of Blackford hill. 

XXIV. 

Blackford ! on whose uncultured breast, 

Among the broom, the thorn, and whin, 
A truant boy, I sought the nest, 
Or listed, as I lay at rest. 

While rose, on breezes thin, 
The murmur of the city crowd, 
And, from his steeple jangling loud. 

Saint Giles mingling din. 
Now, from the summit to the plain. 
Waves all the hill with yellow grain , 

And o'er the landscape as I look 
Nought do I see unchanged remain, 

Save the rude cliffs and chiming brook. 
To me they make a heavy moan, 
Of early friendships past and gone. 



118 MARMION. 

XXV. 

But different far the change has been, 

Since Marmion, from the crown 
Of Blackford saw that martial scene 

Upon the best so brown; 
Thousand pavilions, white as snow, 
Spread o'er the Borough-moor below, 

Upland, and dale, and down: — 
A thousand did I say? I ween. 
Thousands on thousands there were seen, 
That checquered all the heath between 

The streamlet and the town ; 
In crossing ranks extending far, 
Forming a camp irregular; 
Oft giving way, where still there stood 
Some reliques of the old oak-wood, 
That darkly huge did intervene. 
And tame the glaring white with green: 
In these extending lines there lay 
A martial kingdom's vast array. 

XXVI. 

For from Hebudes, dark with rain. 
To eastern Lodon's fertile plain, 
And from the southern Redwire edge, 
To farthest Rosse's rocky ledge; 
From west to east, from south to north, 
Scotland sent all her warriors forth. 
Marmion might hear the mingled hum 
Of Myriads up the mountain come ; 
The horses' tramp, and tingling clank, 
Where chiefs reviewed their vassal rank, 
And charger's shrilling neigh; 



I 



MARMION. 119 

And see the shifting lines advance, 
While frequent flashed, from shield and lance, 
The sun's reflected ray. 

XXVII. 

Thin curling in the morning air, 

The wreaths of failing smoke declare, 

To embers now the brands decayed, 

Where the night-watch their fires had made. 

They saw, slow rolling on the plain, 

Full many a baggage-cart and wain, 

And dire artillery's clumsy car, 

By sluggish oxen tugged to war; 

And there were Borthwick's Sisters Seven, 

And culverins which France had given. 

Ill-omened gift! the guns remain 

The conqueror's spoil on Flodden plain. 

XXVIII. 

Nor marked they less, where in the air 
A thousand streamers flaunted fair; 

Various in shape, device, and hue. 

Green, sanguine, purple, red, and blue, 
Broad, narrow, swallowed- tailed, and square, 
Scroll, pennon, pensil, bandrol there, 

O'er the pavilions flew. 
Highest, and midmost, was descried 
The royal banner, floating wide ; 

The staff, a pine-tree strong and straight, 
Pitched deeply in a massive stone, 
Which still in memory is shown. 

Yet bent beneath the standard's weight, 
Whene'er the western wind unrolled, 
With toil, the huge and cumbrous fold, 



120 MARMION. 

And gave to view the dazzling field, 
Where in proud Scotland's royal shield, 
The ruddy Lion ramped in gold. 

XXIX. 

Lord Marmion viewed the landscape bright, — 
He viewed it with a chief's delight, — 
Until within him burned his heart, 
And lightning from his eye did part, 

As on the battle-day ; 
Such glance did falcon never dart, 

When stooping on his prey. 
**Oh! well, Lord- Lion, hast thou said, 
Thy King from warfare to dissuade 

Were but a vain essay; 
For, by Saint George, were that host mine» 
Not power infernal, nor divine, 
Should once to peace my soul incline, 
Till I had dimmed their armor's shine 

In glorious battle fray!" — 
Answered the bard, of milder mood: 
**Fair is the sight, — and yet 'twere good, 

That kings would think withal, 
When peace and wealth their land have 

blessed, 
'Tis better to sit still at rest, 

Than rise, perchance to fall." 

XXX. 

Still on the spot Lord Marmion stayed, 
For fairer scene he ne'er surveyed. 
When sated with the martial show 
Thcit peopled all the plain below, 
The wandering eye could o'er it go, 



MARMION. 121 

And mark the distant city glow 
With gloomy splendor red ; 

For on the smoke-wreaths, huge and slow, 

That round her sable turrets flow, 
The morning beams were shed, 

And tinged them with a luster proud, 

Like that which streaks a thunder-cloud. 
Such dusky grandeur clothed the height, 
Where the huge castle holds its state, 

And all the steep slope down. 
Whose ridgy back heaves to the sky. 
Piled deep and massy, close and high, 

Mine own romantic town ! 
But northward far, with purer blaze, 
On Ochil mountains fell the rays, 
And as each heathy top they kissed. 
It gleamed a purple amethyst. 

Yonder the shores of Fife you saw ; 

Here Preston- Bay, and Berwick-Law; 
And, broad between them rolled. 

The gallant Firth the eye might note. 

Whose islands on its bosom float. 
Like emeralds chased in gold. 
Fitz-Eustace*s heart felt closely pent; 
As if to give his rapture vent. 
The spur he to his charger lent. 

And raised his bridle-hand. 
And, making demi-volte in air, 
Cried, **Where*s the coward that would not 
dare 

To fight for such a land!" 
The Lindesay smiled his joy to see; 
Nor Marmion's frown repressed his glee. 



122 MARMION. 

XXXI. 

Thus while they looked, a flourish proud, 
Where mingled trump, and clarion loud, 

And fife and kettle drum, 
And sackbut deep, and psaltery. 
And war-pipe, with discordant cry, 
And cymbal clattering to the sky, 
Making wild music bold and high, 

Did up the mountain come ; 
The whilst the bells, with distant chime, 
Merrily tolled the hour of prime, 

And thus the Lindesay spoke : — 
*'Thus clamor still the war-notes when 
The King to mass his way has ta'en, 
Or to St. Catherine's of Sienne, 

Or chapel of Saint Rocque. 
To you they speak of martial fame, 
But me remind of peaceful game, 

When blither was their cheer. 
Thrilling in Falkland-woods the air. 
In signal none his steed should spare. 
But strive which foremost might repair 

To the downfall of the deer. 

XXXII. 

'*Nor less,'* he said, — when looking forth, 
I view yon Empress of the North 

Sit on her hilly throne ; 
Her palace's imperial bowers. 
Her castle, proof to hostile powers. 
Her stately halls, and holy towers — 

Nor less," he said, *'I moan. 
To think that woe mischance may bring. 



MARMION. 123 

And how these merry bells may ring 
The death-dirge of our gallant King, 

Or, with their larum, call 
The burghers forth to watch and ward, 
'Gainst southern sack and fires to guard 

Dun-Edin's leaguered wall. — 
But not, for my presaging thought, 
Dream conquest sure, or cheaply bought! 

Lord Marmion, I say nay : — 
God is the guider of the field. 
He breaks the champion's spear and shield, — 

But thou thyself shalt say, 
When joins yon host in deadly stowre. 
That England's dames must weep in bower, 

Her monks the death-mass sing; 
For never saw'st thou such a power 

Led on by such a King. ' ' 
And now, down winding to the plain, 
The barriers of the camp they gain, 

And there they made a stay. — 
There stays the Minstrel, till he fling 
His hand o'er every Border string. 
And fit his harp the pomp to sing. 
Of Scotland's ancient Court and King, 

In the succeeding lay. 



124 MARMION. 



INTRODUCTION TO CANTO FIFTH. 

TO GEORGE ELLIS, ESQ. 

Edinburgh. 

When dark December glooms the day, 

And takes our autumn joys away; 

When short and scant the sunbeam throws, 

Upon the weary waste of snows, 

A cold and profitless regard. 

Like patron on a needy bard; 

When sylvan occupation's done, 

And o*er the chimney rests the gun, 

And hang, in idle trophy, near. 

The game pouch, fishing-rod, and spear; 

When wiry terrier, rough and grim. 

And greyhound with his length of limb, 

And pointer, now employed no more, 

Cumber our parlor's narrow floor; 

When in his stall the impatient steed 

Is long condemned to rest and feed; 

When from our snow-encircled home, 

Scarce cares the hardiest step to roam. 

Since path is none, save that to bring 

The needful water from the spring ; 

When wrinkled news-page, thrice conned o'er, 

Beguiles the dreary hour no more. 

And darkling politician, crossed, 

Inveighs against the lingering post, 

And answering housewife sore complains . 



MARMION. 125 

Of carriers* snow-impeded wains: 
When such the country cheer, I come, 
Well pleased to seek our city home ; 
For converse, and for books, to change 
The Forest's melancholy range, 
And welcome, with renewed delight, 
The busy day, and social night. 

Not here need my desponding rhyme 
Lament the ravages of time, 
As erst by Newark's riven towers, 
And Ettricke stripped of forest bowers. 
True, — Caledonia's Queen is changed. 
Since on her dusky summit ranged, 
Within its sleepy limits pent. 
By bulwark, line, and battlement. 
And flanking towers, and laky flood, 
Guarded and garrisoned she stood. 
Denying entrance or resort. 
Save at each tall embattled port ; 
Above whose arch, suspended, hung 
Portctillis spiked with iron prong. 
That long is gone, — but not so long, , 
Since early closed, and opening late. 
Jealous revolved the studded gate : 
Whose task from eve to morning tide 
A wicket churlishly supplied. 
Stern then, and steel-girt was thy brow, 
Dun-Edin! Oh, how altered now. 
When safe amid thy mountain court 
Thou sitt'st, like Empress at her sport. 
And liberal, unconfined, and free. 
Flinging thy white arms to the sea, 
For thy dark cloud, with umbered lower, 



126 MARMION. 

That hung o'er cliff, and lake, and tower, 
Thou gleam' St against the western ray 
Ten thousand lines of brighter day. 

Not she, the championess of old. 
In Spencer's magic tale enrolled, — 
She for the charmed spear renowned, 
Which forced each knight to kiss the ground, - 
Not she more changed, when, placed at rest, 
What time she was Malbecco's guest. 
She gave to flow her maiden vest; 
When from the corslet's grasp relieved. 
Free to the sight her bosom heaved ; 
Sweet was her blue eye's modest smile. 
Erst hidden by the aventayle ; 
And down her shoulders graceful rolled 
Her locks profuse, of paly gold. 
They who whilome, in such midnight fight. 
Had marveled at her matchless might. 
No less her maiden charms approved. 
But looking liked, and liking loved. 
The sight could jealous pangs beguile. 
And charm Malbecco's cares awhile; 
And he, the wandering Squire of Dames^ 
Forgot his Columbella's claims, 
And passion, erst unknown, could gain 
The breast of blunt Sir Satyrane ; 
Nor durst light Paridel advance. 
Bold as he was, a looser glance, — 
She charmed, at once, and tamed the hearty 
Incomparable Britomarte! 

So thou, fair City! disarrayed 
Of battled wall, and rampart's aid, 



MARMION. 127 

As stately seem'st, but lovelier far 
Than in that panoply of war. 
Nor deem that from thy fenceless throne 
Strength and security are flown ; 
Still, as of yore, Queen of the North! 
Still canst thou send thy children forth. 
Ne*er readier at alarm-bell's call 
Thy burghers rose to man thy wall. 
Than now, in danger, shall be thine, 
Thy dauntless voluntary line ; 
For fosse and turret proud to stand. 
Their breasts the bulwarks of the land. 
Thy thousands, trained to martial toil, 
Full red would stain their native soil. 

Ere from thy mural crown there fell 

The slightest knosp, or pinnacle. 

And if it come, — as come it may, 

Dun-Edin! that eventful day, — 

Renowned for hospitable deed. 

That virtue much with heaven may plead, 

In patriarchal times whose care 

Descending angels deigned to share ; 

That claim may wrestle blessings down 

On those who fight for the Good Town, 

Destined in every age to be 

Refuge of injured royalty; 

Since first, when conquering York arose, 

To Henry meek she gave repose. 

Till late, with wonder, grief, and awe, 

Great Bourbon's reliques, sad she saw. 

Truce to these thoughts ! for, as they rise, 
How gladly I avert mine eyes, 
Bodings, or true or false, to change. 



128 MARMION. 

For fiction's fair romantic range, 
Or for Tradition's dubious light, 
That hovers 'twixt the day and night: 
Dazzling alternately and dim, 
Her wavering lamp I'd rather trim. 
Knights, squires, and lovely dames to see, 
Creation of my fantasy. 
Than gaze abroad on reeky fen, 
And make of mists invading men, — 
Who loves not more the night of June 
Than dull December's gloomy noon? 
The moonlight than the fog of frost? 
And can we say, which cheats the most? 

But who shall teach my harp to gain 
A sound of the romantic strain. 
Whose Anglo-Norman tones whilere 
Could win the Second Henry's ear. 
Famed Beauclerc called, for that he loved 
The minstrel, and his lay approved? 
Who shall these lingering notes redeem, 
Decaying on Oblivion's stream; 
Such notes as from the Breton tongue 
Marie translated, Blondel sung? 
O! born Time's ravage to repair, 
And make thy dying Muse thy care ; 
Who, when his scythe her hoary foe 
Was poising for the final blow, 
The weapon from his hand could wring. 
And break his glass, and shear his wing. 
And bid, reviving in his strain, 
The gentle poet live again ; 
Thou, who canst give to lightest lay 
An unpedantic moral gay, 



MARMION. 129 

Nor less the dullest theme bid flit 
On wings of unexpected wit ; 
In letters as in life approved, 
Example honored, and beloved, — 
Dear Ellis! to the bard impart 
A lesson of thy magic art. 
To win at once the head and heart, — 
At once to charm, instruct, and mend, 
My guide, my pattern, and my friend! 

Such minstrel lesson to bestow 
Be long thy pleasing task, — but, O! 
No more by thy example teach 
What few can practice, all can preach; 
With even patience to endure 
Lingering disease, and painful cure, 
And boast affliction's pangs subdued 
By mild and manly fortitude. 
Enough, the lesson has been given : 
Forbid the repetition, Heaven . 

Come, listen, then ! for thou hast known 
And loved the Minstrel's varying tone; 
Who, like his Border sires of old, 
Waked a wild measure, rude and bold. 
Till Windsor's oaks, and Ascot plain 
With wonder heard the northern strain. 
Come, listen ! — bold in thy applause. 
The Bard shall scorn pedantic laws; 
And, as the ancient art could stain 
Achievements on the storied pane, 
Irregularly traced and planned. 
But yet so glowing and so grand; 

9 Marmion 



130 MARMION. 

So shall he strive, in changeful hue, 
Field, feast, and combat, to renew, 
And loves, and arms, and harpers* glee, 
And all the pomp of chivalry. 



MARMION. 131 



CANTO FIFTH. 

THE COURT. 
I. 

The train has left the hills of Braid; 
The barrier guard have open made 
(So Lindesay bade), the palisade, 

That closed the tented ground, 
Their men the warders backward drew, 
And carried pikes as they rode through, 

Into its ample bound. 
Fast ran the Scottish warriors there, 
Upon the Southern band to stare 
And envy with their wonder rose, 
To see such well-appointed foes; 
Such length of shafts, such mighty bows. 
So huge, that many simply thought 
But for a vaunt such weapons wrought; 
And little deemed their force to feel. 
Through links of mail, and plates of steel. 
When, rattling upon Flodden vale 
The cloth-yard arrows flew like hail. 

II. 

Nor less did Marmion's skilful view 
Glance every line and squadron through ! 
And much he marveled our small land 
Could marshal forth such various band: 



132 MARMION. 

For men-at*arms were here, 
Heavily sheathed in mail and plate, 
Like iron towers for strength and weight, 
On Flemish steeds of bone and height, 

With battle-axe and spear. 
Young knights and squires, a lighter train, 
Practiced their chargers on the plain, 
By aid of leg, of hand, and rein, 

Each warlike feat to show ; 
To pass, to wheel, the croupe to gain. 
And high curvett, that not in vain 
The sword-sway might descend amain 

On foeman*s casque below. 
He saw the hardy burghers there 
March armed, on foot, with faces bare. 

For visor they wore none. 
Nor waving plume, nor crest of knight. 
But burnished were their corslets bright. 
Their brigantines, and gorgets light, 

Like very silver shone. 
Long pikes they had for standing fight, 

Two-handed swords they wore. 
And many wielded mace of weight, 

And bucklers bright they bore. 

III. 

On foot the yeoman too, but dressed 
In his steel jack, a swarthy vest, 

With iron quilted well ; 
Each at his back, a slender store. 
His forty days' provision bore, 

As feudal statutes tell. 
His arms were halbard, axe, or spear, 
A cross-bow there, a hagbut here. 



MARMION. 133 

A dagger-knife and brand. — 
Sober he seemed, and sad of cheer, 
As loth to leave his cottage dear, 

And march to foreign strand ; 
Or musing, who would guide his steer, 

To till the fallow land. 
Yet deem not in his thoughtful eye 
Did aught of dastard terror lie ; — 

More dreadful far his ire, 
Than theirs, who, scorning danger's name, 
In eager mood to battle came, 
Their valor like light straw on flame, 

A fierce but fading fire. 

IV. 

Not so the Borderer : — bred to war, 
He knew the battle's din afar, 

And joyed to hear it swell. 
His peaceful day was slothful ease; 
Nor harp, nor pipe, his ear could please, 

Like the loud slogan yell. 
On active steed, with lance and blade, 
The light-armed pricker plied his trade,— 

Let nobles fight for fame; 
Let vassals follow where they lead, 
Burghers, to guard their townships, bleed, 

But war's the Borderer's game. 
Their gain, their glory, their delight. 
To sleep the day, maraud the night, 

O'er mountain, moss, and moor; 
Joyful to fight they took their way, 
Scarce caring who might- win the day, 

Their booty was secure. 
These, as Lord Marmion's train passed by, 



134 MARMION. 

Looked on, at first, with careless eye, 
Nor marveled aught, well taught to know 
The form and force of English bow. 
But when they saw the lord arrayed 
In splendid arms, and rich brocade. 
Each Borderer to his kinsman said, — 

*'Hist, Ringan! seest thou there! 
Canst guess which road they'll homeward 

ride? 
O ! could we but, on Border-side, 
By Eusendale glen, or Liddel's tide. 

Beset a prize so fair ! 
That fangless Lion, too, their guide, 
Might chance to lose his glistering hide; 
Brown Maudlin of that doublet pied 

Could make a kirtle rare/* 

V. 

Next Marmion marked the Celtic race. 
Of different language, form, and face, 

A various race of man ; 
Just then the chiefs their tribes arrayed, 
And wild and garish semblance made. 
The chequered trews, and belted plaid, 
And varying notes the war-pipes brayed 

To every varying clan ; 
Wild through their red or sable hair 
Looked out their eyes, with savage stare, 

On Marmion as he passed ; 
Their legs, above the knee, were bare; 
Their frame was sinewy, short, and spare, 

And hardened to the blast; 
Of taller race, the chiefs they own 
Were by the eagle's plumage known. 



MARMION. 135 

The hunted red-deer's undressed hide 
Their hairy buskins well supplied ; 
The graceful bonnet decked their head ; 
Back from their shoulders hung the plaid ; 
A broad-sword of unwieldy length, 
A dagger, proved for edge and strength, 

A studded targe they wore, 
And quivers, bows, and shafts — but, O ! 
Short was the shaft, and weak the bow, 

To that which England bore. 
The Isles-men carried at their backs 
The ancient Danish battle-axe. 
They raised a wild and wondering cry, 
As with his guide rode Marmion by. 
Loud were their clamoring tongues, as when 
The clanging sea-fowl leave the fen, 
And, with their cries discordant mixed, 
Grumbled and yelled the pipes betwixt. 

VI. 

Thus through the Scottish camp they passed, 

And reached the City gate at last, 

Where all around, a wakeful guard, 

Armed burghers kept their watch and ward. 

Well had they cause of jealous fear. 

When lay encamped, in field so near, 

The Borderer and the Mountaineer. 

As through the bustling streets they go, 

All was alive with martial show ; 

At every turn, with dinning clang. 

The armorer's anvil clashed and rang; 

Or toiled the swarthy smith, to wheel 

The bar that arms the charger's heel; 

Or axe, or falchion, to the side 



136 ' MARMION. 

Of jarring grindstone was applied. 

Page, groom, and squire, with hurrying pace, 

Through street, and lane, and market-place, 

Bore lance, or casque, or sword; 
While burghers, with important face, 

Described each new-come lord, 
Discussed his lineage, told his name, 
His following, and his warlike fame. — 
The Lion led to lodging meet, 
Which high o'erlooked the crowded street; 

There must the Baron rest, 
Till past the hour of vesper tide. 
And then to Holy- Rood must ride, — 

Such was the King's behest. 
Meanwhile the Lion's care assigns 
A banquet rich, and costly wines. 

To Marmion and his train. 
And when the appointed hour succeeds, 
The Boron dons his peaceful weeds. 
And following Lindesay as he leads, 

The palace-halls they gain. 

vn. 

Old Holy-Rood rung merrily. 
That night, with wassel, mirth, and glee: 
King James within her princely bower 
Feasted the chiefs of Scotland's power, 
Summoned to spend the parting hour; 
For he had charged, that his array 
Should southward march by break of day. 
Well loved that splendid monarch aye 

The banquet and the song : 
By day the tourney, and by night 
The merry dance, traced fast and light, 



MARMION. 137 

The masquers quaint, the pageant bright, 
The revel loud and long. 

This feast outshone his banquets past; 

It was his blithest — and his last. 
The dazzling lamps, from gallery gay, 
Cast on the court a dancing ray; 
Here to the harp did minstrels sing; 
There ladies touched a softer string; 
With long-eared cap, and motley vest, 
The licensed fool retailed his jest; 
His magic tricks the juggler plied; 
At dice and draughts the gallants vied: 

While some, in close recess apart, 

Courted the ladies of their heart, 
Nor courted them in vain ; 

For often, in the parting hour. 

Victorious love asserts his power 
0*er coldness and disdain; 

And flinty is her heart, can view. 

To battle march a lover true, — 

Can hear, perchance, his last adieu, 
Nor own her share of pain. 

VIII. 

Through this mixed crowd of glee and game, 
The King to greet Lord Marmion came, 

While, reverent, all made room. 
An easy task it was, I trow. 
King James' manly form to know. 
Although, his courtesy to show, 
He doffed, to Marmion bending low. 

His broidered cap and plume. 
For royal were his garb and mien, 

His cloak, of crimson velvet piled. 



138 MARMION. 

Trimmed with the fur of marten wild ; 
His vest, of changeful satin sheen, 

The dazzled eye beguiled ; 
His gorgeous collar hung adown, 
Wrought with the badge of Scotland's crown 
The thistle brave, of old renown; 
His trusty blade, Toledo right. 
Descended from a baldric bright; 
White were his buskins, on the heel 
His spurs inlaid of gold and steel ; 
His bonnet, all of crimson fair. 
Was buttoned with a ruby rare: 
And Marmion deemed he ne'er had seen 
A prince of such a noble mien. 

IX. 

The Monarch's form was middle size 
For feat of strength, or exercise, 

Shaped in proportion fair ; 
And hazel was his eagle eye, 
And auburn of the darkest dye. 

His short curled beard and hair. 
Light was his footstep in the dance, 

And firm his stirrup in the lists; 
And, oh ! he had that merry glance, 

That seldom lady's heart resists. 
Lightly from fair to fair he flew. 
And loved to plead, lament, and sue ; — 
Suit lightly won, and short-lived pain ! 
For monarchs seldom sigh in vain. 
I said he joyed in banquet-bower; 

But, 'mid his mirth, 'twas often strange, 

How suddenly his cheer would change, 
His look o'ercast and lower. 



MARMION. 139 

If, in a sudden turn, he felt 

The pressure of his iron belt, 

That bound his breast in penance-pain 

In memory of his father slain. 
Even so 'twas strange how, evermore, 
Soon as the passing pang was o'er. 
Forward he rushed, with double glee, 
Into the stream of revelry : 
Thus, dim-seen object of affright 
Startles the courser in his flight, 
And half he halts, half springs aside ; 
But feels the quickening spur applied, 
And, straining on the tightened rein, 
Scours doubly swift o'er hill and plain. 

X. 

O'er James' heart, the courtiers say, 
Sir Hugh the Heron's wife held sway: 

To Scotland's court she came, 
To be a hostage for her lord, 
Who Cessford's gallant heart had gored, 
And with the King to make accord, 

Had sent his lovely dame. 
Nor to that lady free alone 
Did the gay King allegiance own ; 

For the fair Queen of France 
Sent him a turquois ring, and glove. 
And charged him, as her knight and love, 

For her to break a lance ; 
And strike three strokes with Scotish brand, 
And march three miles on Southron land, 
And bid the banners of his band 

In English breezes dance. 
And thus, for France's Queen, he dressed 



140 MARMION. 

His manly limbs in mailed vest; 
And thus admitted English fair, 
His inmost counsels still to share ; 

And thus, for both, he madly planned 
The ruin of himself and land ! 

And yet, the sooth to tell, 
Nor England's fair, nor France's Queen, 
Were worth one pearl- drop, bright and 
sheen, 
From Margaret's eyes that fell, — 
His own Queen Margaret, who, in Lithgow's 

bower. 
All lonely sat, and wept the weary hour. 

XI. 

The Queen sits lone in Lithgow pile. 

And weeps the weary day. 
The war against her native soil, 
Her Monarch's risk in battle broil; — 
And in gay Holy-Rood, the while, 
Dame Heron rises with a smile 

Upon the harp to play. 
Fair was her rounded arm, as o'er 

The strings her fingers flew ; 
And as she touched, and tuned them all, 
Even her bosom's rise and fall 

Was plainer given to view ; 
For, all for heat, was laid aside 
Her wimple, and her hood untied. 
And first she pitched her voice to sing, 
Then glanced her dark eye on the King, 
And then around the silent ring; 
And laughed, and blushed, and oft did say 
Her pretty oath, by Yea, and Nay, 



MARMION. 141 

She could not, would not, durst not play. 
At length, upon the harp, with glee, 
Mingled with arch simplicity, 
A soft, yet lively, air she rung, 
While thus the wily lady sung. 

XII. 

LOCHINVAR. 

LADY heron's SONG. 

O, young Lochinvar is come out of the west. 
Through all the wide Border his steed was the 

best. 
And save his good broad-sword he weapons 

had none; 
He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone. 
So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war. 
There never was knight like the young Loch- 
invar. 

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not 

for stone, 
He swam the Eske river where ford there was 

none; 
But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate, 
The bride had consented, the gallant came late: 
For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, 
Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar. 

So boldly he entered the Netherby hall. 
Among bride's-men and kinsmen, and brothers 

and all. 
Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his 

sword, 



142 MARMION. 

(For the poor craven bridegroom said never 

a word, ) 
**0 come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, 
Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Loch- 
invar?*' 

*'I long wooed your daughter, my suit you 
denied ; — 

Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its 
tide— 

And now I am come, with this lost love of mine, 

To lead but one measure, drink one cup of 
wine. 

There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by 
far, 

That would gladly be bride to the young Loch- 
invar. * * 

The bride kissed the goblet ; the knight took 
it up, 

He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down 
the cup, 

She looked down to blush, and she looked up 
to sigh, 

With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye. 

He took her soft hand, ere her mother could 
bar, — 

**Now tread me a measure!*' said young Loch- 
invar. 

So stately his form, and so lovely her face, 
That never a hall such a galliard did grace; 
While her mother did fret, and her father did 

fume, 



MARMION. 143 

And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet 

and plume ; 
And the bride-maidens whispered, '" *Twere 

better by far 
To have matched our fair cousin with young 

Lochin var. ' ' 

One touch to her hand, and one word in her 

ear, 
When they reached the hall door and the 

charger stood near ; 
So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung. 
So light to the saddle before her he sprung ! — 
*'Sheiswon! we are gone, over bank, bush, 

and scaur; 
They'll have fleet steeds that follow," quoth 

young Lochinvar. 

There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the 
Netherby clan ; 

Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode 
and they ran : 

There was racing, and chasing, on Cannobie 
Lee, 

But the lost bride of Netherby ne*er did they 
see. 

So daring in love, and so dauntless in war, 

Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Loch- 
invar? 

XIII. 

The Monarch o'er the syren hung. 
And beat the measure as she sung : 
And, pressing closer, and more near, 



144 MARMION. 

He whispered praises in her ear. 
In loud applause the courtiers vied ; 
And ladies winked and spoke aside. 
The witching dame to Marmion threw 

A glance, where seemed to reign 
The pride that claims applauses due, 
And of her royal conquest, too, 

A real or feigned disdain : 
Familiar was the look, and told, 
Marmion and she were friends of old. 
The King observed their meeting eyes, 
With something like displeased surprise: 
For monarchs ill can rivals brook, 
Even in a word, or smile, or look. 
Straight took he forth the parchment broad, 
Which Marmion*s high commission showed: 
**Our Borders sacked by many a raid, 
Our peaceful liege-men robbed,'' he said; 
**On day of truce our Warden slain, 
Stout Barton killed, his vassal ta'en — 
Unworthy were we here to reign. 
Should these for vengeance cry in vain: 
Our full defiance, hate, and scorn, 
Our herald has to Henry borne." 

XIV. 

He paused, and led where Douglas stood. 
And with stern eye the pageant viewed: 

I mean that Douglas, sixth of yore. 

Who coronet of Angus born, 

And, when his blood and heart were high, 

Did the third James in camp defy. 

And all his minions led to die 
On Lauder's dreary flat: 



MARMION. 145 

Princes and favorites long grew tame, 
And trembled at the homely name 

Of Archibald Bell-the-Cat. 
The same who left the dusky vale 
Of Hermitage in Liddesdale, 

Its dungeons, and its towers, 
Where BothwelPs turrets brave the air, 
And Bothwell bank is blooming fair. 

To fix his princely bowers. 
Though now, in age, he had laid down 
His armor for the peaceful gown. 

And for a staff his brand. 
Yet often would flash forth the fire, 
That could, in youth, a monarches ire 

And minion's pride withstand; 
And e'en that day, at council board. 

Unapt to soothe his sovereign's mood. 

Against the war had Angus stood^ 
And chafed his royal lord. 

XV. 

His giant-form, like ruined tower. 
Though fallen its muscles' brawny vaunt. 
Huge-boned, and tall, and grim, and gaunt. 

Seemed o'er the gaudy scene to lower: 
His locks and beard in silver grew; 
His eyebrows kept their sable hue. 
Near Douglas when the Monarch stood. 
His bitter speech he thus pursued: — 
**Lord Marmion, since these letters say 
That in the North you needs must stay, 

While slightest hopes of peace remain, 
Uncourteous speech it were, and stern. 
To say — Return to Lindisfarne, 

10 MarmioD 



146 MARMION. 

Until my herald come again. — 
Then rest you in Tantallon Hold 
Your host shall be the Douglas bold,— 
A chief unlike his sires of old. 
He wears their motto on his blade, 
Their blazon o*er his towers displayed; 
Yet loves his sovereign to oppose, 
More than to face his country's foes. 
And, I bethink me, by Saint Stephen, 

But e'en this morn to me was given 
A prize, the first-fruits of the war, 
Ta*en by a galley from Dunbar, 

A bevy of the maids of heaven. 
Under your guard, these holy maids 
Shall safe return to cloister shades, 
And, while they at Tantallon stay. 
Requiem for Cochran's soul may say." 
And, with the slaughtered favorite's name 
Across the Monarch's brow there came 
A cloud of ire, remorse, and shame. 

XVI. 

In answer nought could Angus speak ; 

His proud heart swelled well-nigh to break : 

He turned aside, and down his cheek 

A burning tear there stole. 
His hand the monarch sudden took, 
That sight his kind heart could not brook: 

**Now, by the Bruce's soul, 
Angus, my hasty speech forgive ! 
For sure as doth his spirit live. 
As he said of the Douglas old, 

I well may say of you, — 
That never king did subject hold, 



MARMION. HI 

In speech more free, in our war more bold, 

More tender, and more true : 
Forgive me, Douglas, once again.*' 
And, while the King his hand did strain, 
The old man's tears fell down like rain. 
To seize the moment Marmion tried. 
And whispered to the King aside : 
'*Oh! let such tears unwonted plead 
For respite short from dubious deed ! 
A child will weep a bramble's smart, 
A maid to see her sparrow part, 
A strippling for a woman's heart: 
But woe awaits a country, when 
She sees the tears of bearded men. 
Then, oh ! what omen, dark and high. 
When Douglas wets his manly eye!" — 

XVII. 

Displeased was James, that stranger viewed 

And tampered with his changing mood. 

*'Laugh those that can, weep those that may," 

Thus did the fiery Monarch say, 

** Southward I march by break of day; 

And if within Tantallon strong, 

The good Lord Marmion tarries long^ 

Perchance our meeting next may fall 

At Tamworth, in his castle-hall." — 

The haughty Marmion felt the taunt, 

And answered, grave, the royal vaunt: 

**Much honored were my humble home. 

If in its halls King James should come ; 

But Nottingham has archers good, 

And Yorkshire men are stern of mood ; 

Northumbrian prickers wild and rude. 



us MARMION. 

On Derby Hills the paths are steep ; 

In Ouse and Tyne the fords are deep ; 

And many a banner will be torn. 

And many a knight to earth be borne, 

And many a sheath of arrows spent, 

Ere Scotland's King shall cross the Trent: 

Yet pause, brave prince, while yet you may/' 

The Monarch lightly turned away, 

And to his nobles loud did call, — 

'''Lords, to the dance, — a hall! a hall!*' 

Himself his cloak and sword flung by, 

And led Dame Heron gallantly; 

And minstrels, at the royal order, 

Rung out — ''Blue Bonnets o'er the Border." 

XVIII. 

Leave we these revels now, to tell 
What to Saint Hilda's maids befell, 
Whose galley, as they sailed again 
To Whitby, by a Scot was ta'en. 
Now at Dun-Edin did they bide. 
Till James should of their fate decide; 

And soon, by his command, 
Were gently summoned to prepare 
To journey under Marmion's care, 
As escort honored, safe, and fair, 

Again to English land. 
The Abbess told her chaplet o'er. 
Nor knew which Saint she should implore; 
For when she thought of Constance, sore 

She feared Lord Marmion's mood. 
And judge what Clara must have felt! 
The sword, that hung in Marmion's belt, 

Had drunk De Wilton's blood. 



MARMION. U9 

Unwittingly, King James had given, 

As guard to Whitby's shades, 
The man most dreaded under heaven 

By these defenceless maids: 
Yet what petition could avail. 
Or who would listen to the tale 
Of woman, prisoner, and nun, 
'Mid bustle of a war begun ; 
They deemed it hopless to avoid 
The convoy of their dangerous guide. 

XIX. 

Their lodging, so the King assigned, 
To Marmion's, as their guardian, joined; 
And thus it fell, that, passing nigh. 
The Palmer caught the Abbess' eye, 

Who warned him by a scroll, 
She had a secret to reveal, 
That much concerned the Church's weal, 

And health of sinner's soul; 
And, with deep charge of secrecy. 

She named a place to meet, 
Within an open balcony. 
That hung dizzy pitch, and high. 

Above the stately street ; 
To which, as common to each home, 
At night they might in secret come. 

XX. 

At night in secret there they came, 
The Palmer and the holy dame. 
The moon among the clouds rode high, 
And all the city hum was by. 

Upon the street, where late before 



150 MARMION. 

Did din of war and warriors roar, 
You might have heard a pebble fall, 

A beetle hum, a cricket sing, 

An owlet flap his boding" wing 
On Giles* steeple tall. 
The antique buildings climbing high 
Whose Gothic frontlets sought the sky 

Were here wrapt deep in shade: 
There on their brows the moonbeam broke 
Through the faint wreaths of silvery smoke 

And on the casements played. 
And other light was none to see, 

Save torches gliding far, 
Before some chieftain of degree, 
Who left the royal revelry 

To bowne him for the v\rar — 
A solemn scene the Abbess chose; 
A solemn hour, her secret to disclose. 

XXI. 

**0, holy Palmer!'* she began — 
"For sure he must be sainted man. 
Whose blessed feet have trod the ground 
Where the Redeemer's tomb is found; — 
For His dear Church's sake, my tale 
Attend, nor deem of light avail, 
Though I must speak of worldly love, — 
How vain to those who wed above ! 
De Wilton and Lord Marmion wooed 
Clara de Clare, of Gloster's blood; 
(Idle it were of Whitby's dame, 
To say of that same blood I came;) 
And once, when jealm^s rage was high, 
Lord Marmion said despiteously, 



MARMION. 151 

Wilton was traitor in his heart, 
And had made league with Martin Swart, 
When he came here on Simnel's part; 
And only cowardice did restrain 
His rebel aid on Stokefield's plain — 
And down he threw his glove : — the thing 
Was tried, as wont, before the King ; 
Where frankly did De Wilton own 
That Swart in Guelders he had known ; 
And that between them then there went 
Some scroll of courteous compliment. 
For this he to his castle sent ; 
But when his messenger returned, 
Judge how De Wilton's fury burned! 
For in his pocket there were laid 
Letters that claimed disloyal aid. 
And proved King Henry's cause betrayed. 
His fame, thus blighted, in the field 
He strove to clear, by spear and shield ; — 
To clear his fame in vain he strove, 
For wondrous are His ways above! 
Perchance some form was unobserved ; 
Perchance in prayer or faith he swerved ; 
Else how could guiltless champion quail, 
Or how the blessed ordeal fail? 

XXII. 

**His squire, who now De Wilton saw 
As recreant doomed to suffer law. 

Repentant, owned in vain, 
That, while he had the scrolls in care, 
A stranger maiden, passing fair, 
Had drenched him with a beverage rare; — 

His words no faith could gain. 



152 MARMION. 

With Clare alone he credence won, 
Who, rather than wed Marmion, 
Did to Saint Hilda's shrine repair, 
To give our house her livings fair. 
And die a vestal votaress there. 
The impulse from the earth was given, 
But bent her to the paths of heaven. 
A purer heart, a lovelier maid, 
Ne'er sheltered her in Whitby's shade„ 
No, not since Saxon Edelfled; 

Only one trace of earthly strain, 
That for her lover's loss 

She cherishes a sorrow vain. 
And murmurs at the cross. — 
And then her heritage; — it goes 

Along the banks of Tame ; 
Deep fields of grain the reaper mows. 
In meadows rich the heifer lows, 
The falconer, and hunj^^man, knows 

Its woodlands for the" game. 
Shame were it to Saint Hilda dear. 
And I, her humble vot'ress here, 

Should do a deadly sin; 
Her temple spoiled before mine eyes. 
If this false Marmion such a prize 

By my consent should win; 
Yet hath our boisterous Monarch sworn, 
That Clare shall from our house be torn, 
And grievous cause have I to fear. 
Such mandate doth Lord Marmion bear. 

XXIII. 

**Now, prisoner, helpless, and betrayed 
To evil power, I claim thine aid : 



MARMION. 153 

By every step that thou has trod 
To holy shrine, and grotto dim ; 
By every martyr's tortured limb, 
By angel, saint, and seraphim, 

And by the Church of God! 
For mark : — When Wilton was betrayed, 
And with his squire forged letters laid. 
She was, alas! — that sinful maid, 
By whom the deed was done, — 
O! shame and horror to be said, — 

She was a perjured nun! 
No clerk in all the land, like her, 
Traced quaint and varying character 
Perchance you may a marvel deem, 

That Marmion's paramour 
(For such vile thing she was) should scheme 

Her lover's nuptial hour; 
But o'er him thus she hoped to gain, 
As privy to his honor's stain, 

Illimitable power: 
For this she secretly retained 

Each proof that might the plot reveal, 
Instructions with his hand and seal; 
And thus Saint Hilda deigned, 
Through sinner's perfidy impure, 
Her house's glory to secure. 
And Clare's immortal weal. 

XXIV. 

** 'Twere long, and needless, here to tell. 
How to my hand these papers fell ; 

With me they must not stay. 
Saint Hilda keep her Abbess true! 
Who knows what outrage he might do, 



154 MARMION. 

While journeying by the way? 
O ! blessed Saint, if e'er again 
I venturous leave thy calm domain, 
To travel or by land or main, 

Deep penance may I pay ! — 
Now, saintly Palmer, mark my prayer, 
I give this packet to thy care. 
For thee to stop they will not dare; 

And, O ! with cautious speed. 
To Wolsey's hand the papers bring. 
That he may show them to the King; 

And for thy well-earned meed 
Thou holy man, at Whitby's shrine, 
A weekly mass shall still be thine. 

While priests can sing and read. — 
What ail'st thou? — Speak!*' — For as he took 
The charge, a strong emotion shook 

His frame; and, ere reply, 
They heard a faint, yet shrilly tone, 
Like distant clarion, feebly blown, 

That on the breeze did die ; 
And loud the Abbess shrieked in fear, 
** Saint With old save us! — what is here! 

Look at yon city cross ! 
See on its battled tower appear 
Phantoms, that scutcheons seem to rear, 

And blazoned banners toss!" — 

XXV. 

Dun-Edin's cross, a pillared stone, 
Rose on a turret octagon. 

(But now is razed that monument, 
Whence royal edict rang. 

And voice of Scotlands law was sent, 



MARMION. 155 

In glorious trumpet clang. 
O ! be his tomb as lead to lead, 
Upon its dull destroyer's head! — 
A minstrel's malison is said,) 
Then on its battlements they saw 
A vision, passing Nature's law, 

Strange, wild, and dimly seen; 
Figures, that seemed to rise and die, 
Gibber and sign, advance and fly, 
While nought confirmed could ear or eye 

Discern of sound or mien. 
Yet darkly did it seem, as there 
Heralds and pursuivants prepare 
With trumpet sound, and blazon fair, 

A summons to proclaim ; 
But indistinct the pageant proud. 
As fancy forms of midnight cloud. 
When flings the moon upon her shroud 

A wavering tinge of flame ; 
It flits, expands, and shifts, till loud, 
From midmost of the specter crowd. 

This awful summons came : — 

XXVI. 

•'Prince, prelate, potentate, and peer, 

Whose names I now shall call, 
Scottish, or foreigner, give ear I 
Subjects of him who sent me here. 
At his tribunal to appear, 

I summon one and all : 
I cite you by each deadly sin. 
That e'er hath soiled your hearts within; 
I cite you by each brutal lust, 
That e'er defiled your earthly dust, — 



156 MARMION. 

By wrath, by pride, by fear, 
By each o'er-mastering passion's tone, 
By the dark grave, and dying groan ! 
When forty days are passed and gone 
I cite you at your Monarch's throne 

To answer and appear. ' ' — 
Then thundered forth a roll of names: 
The first was thine, unhappy James! 

Then all thy nobles came ; 
Crawford, Glencairn, Montrose, Argyle, 
Ross, Bothwell, Forbes, Lennox, Lyle,— 
Why should I tell their separate style? 

Each chief of birth and fame. 
Of Lowland, Highland, Border, Isle, 
Fore-doomed to Flodden's carnage pile, 

Was cited there by name ; 
And Marmion, Lord of Fontenaye, 
Of Lutterward and Scrivelbaye, 
De Wilton, erst of Aberley, 
The self-same thundering voice did say.- 

But then another spoke : 
**Thy fatal summons I deny. 
And thine infernal lord defy, 
Appealing me to Him on High, 

Who burst the sinner's yoke." 
At that dread accent, with a scream, 
Parted the pageant like a dream, 

The summoner was gone. 
Prone on her face the Abbess fell 
And fast, and fast, her beads did tell; 
Her nuns came, startled by the yell, 

And found her there alone. 
She marked not, at the scene aghast. 
What time, or how, the Palmer passed. 



MARMION. 157 

XXVII. 

Shift we the scene. — The camp doth move, 

Dun-Edin's streets are empty now, 
Save when, for weal of those they love, 

To pray the prayer, and vow the vow, 
The tottering child, the anxious fair. 
The gray-haired sire with pious care, 
To chapels and to shrines repair. — 
Where is the Palmer now? and where 
The Abbess, Marmion, and Clare? — 
Bold Douglas ! to Tantallon fair 

They journey in thy charge : 
Lord Marmion rode on his right hand, 
The Palmer still was with the band; 
Angus, like Lindesay, did command. 

That none should roam at large. 
But in that Palmer's altered mien 
A wondrous change might now be seen ; 

Freely he spoke of war, 
Of marvels wrought by single hand, 
When lifted for a native land ; 
And still looked high, as if he planned 

Some desperate deed afar. 
His courser would he feed and stroke. 
And, tucking up his sable frocke, 
Would first his mettle bold provoke, 

Then soothe, or quell his pride. 
Old Hubert said, that never one 
He saw, except Lord Marmion, 

A steed so fairly ride. 

XXVIII. 

Some half-hour's march behind, there came 
By Eustace governed fair. 



158 MARMION. 

A troop escorting Hilda's Dame, 

With all her nuns, and Clare. 
No audience had Lord Marmion sought ; 

Ever he feared to aggravate 

Clara de Clare's suspicious hate; 
And safer 'twas, he thought. 

To wait till, from the nuns removed, 

The influence of kinsmen loved, 

And suit by Henry's self approved. 
Her slow consent had wrought. 

His was no flickering flame, that dies 

Unless when fanned by looks and sighs, 

And lighted oft at lady's eyes; 
He longed to stretch his wide command 
O'er luckless Clara's ample land: 
Besides, when Wilton with him vied. 
Although the pang of humbled pride 
The place of jealousy supplied, 
Yet conquest, by that meanness won. 
He almost loathed to think upon, 
Led him, at times, to hate the cause, 
Which made him burst through honor's laws. 
If e'er he loved, 'twas her alone, 
Who died within that vault of stone. 

XXIX. 

And now, when close at hand they saw 
North-Berwick's town and lofty Law, 
Fitz- Eustace bade them pause a while 
Before a venerable pile. 

Whose turrets viewed, afar. 
The lofty Bass, the Lambie Isle, 

The ocean's peace or war. 
At tolling of a bell, forth came 



MARMION. 159 

The convent's venerable Dame, 
And prayed Saint Hilda's Abbess rest 
With her, a loved and honored guest, 
Till Douglas should a barque prepare, 
To waft her back to Whitby fair. 
Glad was the Abbess, you may guess. 
And thanked the Scottish Prioress ; 
And tedious were to tell, I ween, 
The courteous speech that passed between 
Overjoyed the nuns their palfreys leave: 
But when fair Clara did intend. 
Like them, from horseback to descend 
Fitz-Eustace said, — "I grieve. 
Fair lady, grieve e'en from my heart, 
Such gentle company to part. — 

Think not discourtesy. 
But lords' commands must be obeyed; 
And Marmion and the Douglas said, 

That you must wend with me. 
Lord Marmion hath a letter broad, 
Which to the Scottish Earl he showed, 
Commanding, that, beneath his care. 
Without delay, you shall repair. 
To your good kinsman, Lord Fitz-Clare." 

XXX. 

The startled Abbess loud exclaimed ; 
But she, at whom the blow was aimed, 
Grew pale as death, and cold as lead, — 
She deemed she heard her death-doom read. 
'*Cheer thee, my child!" the Abbess said, 
**They dare not tear thee from my hand, 
To ride along, with armed band." — 
**Nay, holy mother, nay," 



160 MARMION. 

Fitz-Eustace said, '*the lovely Clare 
Will be in Lady Angus' care, 

In Scotland while we stay ; 
And, when we move, an easy ride, 
Will bring us to the English side, 
Female attendance to provide 

Befitting Gloster's heir; 
Nor thinks, nor dreams, my noble lord, 
By slightest look, or act, or word, 

To harass Lady Clare. 
Her faithful guardian he will be, 
Nor sue for slightest courtesy 

That e'en to stranger falls, 
Till he shall place her, safe and free, 

Within her kinsman's halls." — 
He spoke, and blushed with earnest grace, 
His faith was painted on his face. 

And Clare's worst fear relieved. 
The Lady Abbess loud exclaimed 
On Henry, and the Douglas blamed. 

Entreated, threatened, grieved; 
To martyr, saint, and prophet prayed. 
Against Lord Marmion inveighed. 
And called the Prioress to aid. 
To curse with candle, bell, and book. — 
Her head the grave Cistercian shook: 
**The Douglas and the King," she said, 
*'In their commands will be obeyed; 
Grieve not, nor dream that harm can fall 
The maiden in Tantallon hall. " 

XXXI. 

The Abbess, seeing strife was vain, 
Assumed her wonted state again. 




"The startled Abbess loud exclaimed." — Page 159. 

Marmion. 



MARMION. 161 

For much of state she had, — 
Composed her veil, and raised her head, 
And — **Bid,** in solemn voice she said, 

**Thy master, bold and bad, 
The records of his house turn o'er, 

And, when he shall there written see, 

That one of his own ancestry 

Drove the Monks forth of Coventry, 
Bid him his fate explore ! 

Prancing in pride of earthly trust. 

His charger hurled him to the dust, 

And, by a base plebeian thrust, 
He died his band before. 

God judge 'twixt Marmion and me, 

He is a chief of high degree. 
And I a poor recluse : 

Yet oft, in holy writ, we see 

Even such weak ministers as me 
May the oppressor bruise : 

For thus, inspired, did Judith slay 
The mighty in his sin. 

And Jael thus, and Deborah," — 
Here hasty Blount broke in : 
**Fitz- Eustace, we must march our band; 
St. Anton' fire thee! wilt thou stand 
All day, with bonnet in thy hand. 

To hear the Ladye preach? 
By this good light ! if thus we stay 
Lord Marmion, for our fond delay, 

Will sharper sermon teach. 
Come, don thy cap, and mount thy horse; 
The Dame must patience take perforce." 



11 Marmion 



162 MARMION. 



XXXII. 



** Submit we then to force," said Clare; 
**But let this barbarous lord despair 

His purposed aim to win; 
Let him take living, land, and life 
But to be Marmion's wedded wife 

In me were deadly sin : 
And if it be the king's decree, 
That I must find no sanctuary, 
Where even an homicide might come, 

And safely rest his head, 
Though at its open portals stood, 
Thirsting to pour forth blood for bloody 

The kinsmen of the dead; 
Yet one asylum is my own, 

Against the dreaded hour; 
A low, a silent, and a lone, 

Where kings have little power. 
One victim is before me there. — 
Mother, your blessing, and in prayer 
Remember your unhappy Clare!'* 
Loud weeps the Abbess, and bestows 

Kind blessings many a one; 
Weeping and wailing loud arose 
Round patient ! Clare, the clamorous woes 

Of every simple nun. 
His eyes the gentle Eustace dried, 
And scarce rude Blount the sight could bide. 

Then took the squire her rein, 
And gently led away her steed. 
And, by each courteous word and deed, 

To cheer her strove in vain. 



MARMION. 163 



XXXIII. 



But scant three miles the band had rode, 

When o*er a height they passed, 
And, sudden, close before them showed 

His towers, Tantallon vast : 
Broad, massive, high, and stretching far, 
And held impregnable in war. 
On a projecting rock they rose, 
And round three sides the ocean flows ; 
The fourth did battled walls enclose, 

And double mound and fosse 
By narrow drawbridge, outworks strong. 
Through studded gates, an entrance long, 

To the main court they cross. 
It was a wide and stately square ; 
Around were lodgings, fit and fair, 

And towers of various form, 
Which on the court projected far, 
And broke its lines quadrangular. 
Here was square keep, there turret high, 
Or pinnacle that sought the sky. 
Whence oft the Warder could descry 

The gathering ocean storm. 

XXXIV. 

Here did they rest. — The princely care 
Of Douglas, why should I declare. 
Or say they met reception fair? 

Or why the tidings say. 
Which, varying, to Tantallon came. 
By hurrying posts, or fleeter fame. 

With every varying day? 
And, first they heard King James had won 



164' MARMION. 

Ettall, and Wark, and Ford ; and then 

That Norham castle strong was ta'en. 
At that sore marveled Marmion ; — 
And Douglas hoped his monarch's hand 
Would soon subdue Northumberland: 

But whispered news there came, 
That, while his host inactive lay, 
And melted by degrees away, 
King James was dallying oflE the day 

With Heron's wily dame. — 
Such acts to chronicles I yield; 

Go seek them there, and see: 
Mine is a tale of Flodden Field, 

And not a history. — 
At length, they heard the Scottish host 
On that high ridge that made their post, 

Which frowns o'er Millfield Plain; 
And that brave Surrey many a band 
Had gathered in the Southern land. 
And marched into Northumberland, 

And camp at Wooler ta'en. 
Marmion, like charger in the stall. 
That hears without the trumpet-call, 

Began to chafe, and swear: — 
**A sorry thing to hide my head 
In castle, like a fearful maid, 

When such a field is near! 
Needs must I see this battle-day: 
Death to my fame, if such a fray 
Were fought, and Marmion away! 

The Douglas, too, I wot not why, 

Hath 'bated of his courtesy: 
No longer in his halls I'll stay." — 
Then bade his band, they should array 
For march against the dawning day. 



MARMION. 165 



INTRODUCTION TO CANTO SIXTH. 

TO RICHARD HEBER, ESQ. 

Mertoun House, Christmas 

Heap on more wood ! — the wind is chill ; 

But let it whistle as it will, 

We'll keep our Christmas merry still. 

Each age has deemed the new-born year 

The fittest time for festal cheer: 

Even heathen yet, the savage Dane 

At lol more deep the mead did drain; 

High on the beach his galleys drew, 

And feasted all his pirate crew ; 

Then in his low and pine-built hall. 

Where shields and axes decked the wall, 

They gorged upon the half-dressed steer: 

Caroused in seas of sable beer; 

While round, in brutal jest, were thrown 

The half gnawed rib, and marrow-bone: 

Or listened all, in grim delight. 

While scalds yelled out the joys of fight. 

Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie, 

While wildly loose their red locks fly ; 

And dancing round the blazing pile. 

They make such barbarous mirth the while, 

As best might to the mind recall 

The boisterous joys of Odin's hall, 

And well our Christian sires of old 
Loved when the year its course had rolled, 



166 MARMION. 

And brought blithe Christmas back again, 

With all his hospitable train. 

Domestic and religious rite 

Gave honor to the holy night; 

On Christmas eve the bells were rung; 

On Christmas eve the mass was sung; 

That only night in all the year, 

Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. 

The damsel donned her kirtle sheen; 

The hall was dressed with holly green; 

Forth to the wood did merry-men go, 

To gather in the mistletoe. 

Then opened wide the baron's hall 

To vassal, tenant, serf, and all ; 

Power laid his rod of rule aside, 

And Ceremony doffed his pride. 

The heir, with roses in his shoes, 

That night might village partner choose; 

The lord, underogating, share 

The vulgar game of *'post and pair.*' 

All hailed, with uncontrolled delight, 

And general voice, the happy night, 

That to the cottage, as the crown. 

Brought tidings of salvation down. 

The fire, with well-dried logs supplied, 
Went roaring up the chimney wide; 
The huge hall-table's oaken face. 
Scrubbed till it shone the day to grace, 
Bore then upon its massive board 
No mark to part the squire and lord. 
Then was brought in the lusty brawn, 
By old blue-coated serving-man ; 
Then the grim boar's-head frowned on high, 
Crested with bavs and rosemarv. 



MARMION. 167 

Well can the green-garbed ranger tell, 

How, when, and where, the monster fell ; 

What dogs before his death he tore. 

And all the baiting of the boar. 

The wassel round in good brown bowls. 

Garnished with ribbons, blithely trowls. 

There the huge surloin reeked; hard by 

Plum -porridge stood, and Christmas pie ; 

Nor failed old Scotland to produce, 

At such high-tide, her savory goose. 

Then came the merry masquers in. 

And carols roared with blithesome din ; 

If unmelodious was the song. 

It was a hearty note, and strong. 

V7ho lists may in their mumming see 

Traces of ancient mystery, 

White shirts supplied the masquerade, 

And smutted cheeks the visors made ; 

But, OI what masquers richly dight 

Can boast of bosoms half so light! 

England was merry England, when 

Old Christmas brought his sports again. 

'Twas Christmas brought the mightiest ale; 

'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; 

A Christmas gambol oft could cheer 

The poor man*s heart through half the year. 

Still linger in our northern clime, 
Some remnants of the good old time; 
And still, within our valley here. 
We hold the kindred title dear, 
Even when perchance its far-fetched claim 
To Southron ear sounds empty name; 
For course of blood our proverbs deem, 
Is warmer than the mountain stream. 



168 MARMION. 

And thus, my Christmas still I hold 
Where my great-grandsire came of old; 
With amber beard, and flaxen hair, 
And reverend apostolic air — 
The feast and holy- tide to share, 
And mix sobriety with wine, 
And honest mirth with thoughts divine. 
Small thought was his, in after time 
E*er to be hitched into a rhyme. 
The simple sire could only boast, 
That he was loyal to his cost ; 
The banished race of kings revered, 
And lost his land, — but kept his beard. 

In these dear halls, where welcome kind, 
Is with fair liberty combined ; 
Where cordial friendship gives the hand. 
And flies constraint the magic wand 
Of the fair dame that rules the land, 
Little we heed the tempest drear, 
While music, mirth, and social cheer. 
Speed on their wings the passing year. 
And Mertoun's halls are fair e'en now. 
When not a leaf is on the bough. 
Tweed loves them well, and turns again. 
As loath to leave the sweet domain ; 
And holds his mirror to her face. 
And clips her with a close embrace : — 
Gladly as he, we seek the dome. 
And as reluctant turn us home. 

How just, that, at this time of glee. 
My thoughts should, Heber, turn to thee ! 
For many a merry hour we've known, 



MARMION. 169 

And heard the chimes of midnight's tone. 
Cease, then, my friend ! a moment cease, 
And leave these classic tomes in peace ! 
Of Roman and of Grecian lore, 
Sure mortal brain can hold no more. 
These ancients, as Noll Bluff might say, 
Were ** pretty fellows in their day,*' 
But time and tide o'er all prevail — 
On Christmas eve a Christmas tale — 
Of wonder and of war — ** Profane! 
What ! leave the lofty Latian strain, 
Her stately prose, her verse's charms, 
To hear the clash of rusty arms ; 
In Fairy Land or Limbo lost, 
To jostle conjurer and ghost, 
Goblin and witch!" — Nay, Heber, dear. 
Before you touch my charter, hear, 
Though Leyden aids, alas! no more 
My cause with many-languaged lore, 
This may I say: — in realms of death 
Ulysees meets Alcides' wraith; 
^neas, upon Tracia's shore, 
The ghost of murdered Polydore; 
For omens, we in Livy cross, 
At every turn, locutus Bos. 
As grave and duly speaks that ox. 
As if he told the price of stocks; 
Or held, in Rome republican. 
The place of common-councilman. 

All nations have their omens drear. 
Their legions wild of woe and fear. 
To Cambria look — the peasant see, 
Bethink him of Glendowerdy, 



170 MARMION. 

And shun **the spirit's blasted tree." 

The Highlander, whose red claymore 

The battle turned on Maida's shore, 

Will, on a Friday morn, look pale. 

If asked to tell a fairy tale : 

He fears the vengeful Elfin King, 

Who leaves that day his grassy ring; 

Invisible to human ken, 

He walks among the sons of men. 

Didst e'er, dear Heber, pass along 
Beneath the towers of Franchemont, 
Which, like an eagle's nest in air. 
Hang o'er the stream and hamlet fair? — 
Deep in their vaults, the peasants say, 
A mighty treasure buried lay. 
Amassed through rapine, and through wrong, 
By the last lord of Franchemont. 
The iron chest is bolted hard, 
A huntsman sits, its constant guard; 
Around his neck his horn is hung, 
His hanger in his belt is slung; 
Before his feet his bloodhounds lie : 
An 'twere not for his gloomy eye. 
Whose withering glance no heart can brook, 
As true a huntsman doth he look. 
As bugle e'er in brake did sound. 
Or ever hallooed to a hound. 
To chase the fiend, and win the prize, 
In that same dungeon ever tries 
An aged Necromantic Priest ; 
It is an hundred years at least. 
Since 'twixt them first the strife begun, 
And neither yet has lost or won. 



MARMION. 171 

And oft the Conjuror's words will make 
The stubborn Demon groan and quake ; 
And oft the bands of iron break, 
Or bursts one lock, that still amain, 
Fast as 'tis opened, shuts again. 
That magic strife within the tomb 
May last until the day of doom. 
Unless the Adept shall learn to tell 
The very word that clenched the spell, 
When Franch'mont locked the treasure cell. 
An hundred years are past and gone, 
And scarce three letters has he won. 

Such general superstition may 
Excuse for old Pitscottie say; 
Whose gossip history has given 
My song the messenger from heaven, 
That warned, in Lithgow, Scotland's King. 
Nor less the infernal summoning; 
May pass the monk of Durham's tale. 
Whose Demon fought in Gothic mail; 
May pardon plead for Fordun grave, 
Who told of Clifford's Goblin-Cave. 
But why such instances to you. 
Who, in an instant, can review 
Your treasured hoards of various lore, 
And furnish twenty thousand more? 
Hoards, not like theirs whose volumes rest 
Like treasure in the French'mont chest; 
While gripple owners still refuse 
To others what they cannot use. 
Give them the priest's whole century, 
They shall not spell you letters three; 
Their pleasure in the book's the same 



172 MARMION. 

The magpie takes in pilfered gem. 
Thy volumes, open as thy heart, 
Delight, amusement, science, art, 
To every ear and eye impart ; 
Yet who, of all who thus employ them, 
Can, like the owner's self, enjoy them?- 
But, hark! I hear the distant drum: 
The day of Flodden Field is come. — 
Adieu, dear Heber ! life and health, 
And store of literary wealth. 



MARMION. 173 



CANTO SIXTH. 

THE BATTLE. 



While great events were on the gale, 

And each hour brought a varying tale, 

And the demeanor, changed and cold, 

Of Douglas, fretted Marmion bold, 

And like the impatient steed of war, 

He snuffed the battle from afar ; 

And hopes were none, that back again, 

Herald should come from Terouenne, 

Where England's King in leaguer lay. 

Before decisive battle-day: — 

While these things were, the mournful Clare 

Did in the Dame's devotions share: 

For the good Countess ceaseless prayed. 

To Heaven and Saints, her sons to aid, 

And, with short interval, did pass 

From prayer to book, from book to mass, 

And all in high Baronial pride. 

As life both dull and dignified; — 

Yet as Lord Marmion nothing pressed 

Upon her intervals of rest, 

Dejected Clare well could bear 

The formal state, the lengthened prayer, 

Though dearest to her wounded heart 

The hours that she might spend apart. 



174 MARMION. 

II. 
I said, Tantallon's dizzy steep 
Hung o*er the margin of the deep. 
Many a rude tower and rampart there 
Repelled the insult of the air, 
Which, when the tempest vexed the sky, 
Half breeze, half spray, came whistling by. 
Above the rest, a turret square 
Did o'er its Gothic entrance bear. 
Of sculpture rude, a stony shield ; 
The Bloody Heart was in the field, 
And in the chief three mullets stood, 
The cognizance of Douglas blood. 
The turret held a narrow stair. 
Which, mounted, gave you access where 
A parapet's embattled row 
Did seaward round the castle go; 
Sometimes in dizzy steps descending, 
Sometimes in narrow circuit bending, 
Sometimes in platform broad extending, 
Its varying circle did combine 
Bulwark, and bartizan, and line. 
And bastion, tower, and vantage-coign ; 
Above the booming ocean leant 
The far-projecting battlement; 
The billows burst, in ceaseless flow, 
Upon the precipice below. 
Where'er Tantallon faced the land, 
Gate- works and walls, were strongly manned; 
No need upon the sea-girt side ; 
The steepy rock, and frantic tide. 
Approach of human step denied; 
And thus these lines and ramparts rude, 
Were left in deepest solitude. 



MARMION. 175 

III. 
And, for they were so lonely, Clare 
Would to these battlements repair, 
And muse upon her sorrows there, 

And list the seabird's cry; 
Or slow, like noon-tide ghost, would glide 
Along the dark-gray bulwarks* side, 
And ever on the heaving tide 

Look down with weary eye. 
Oft did the cliff, and swelling main, 
Recall the thoughts of Whitby's fane, — 
A home she ne'er might see again; 

For she had laid adown, 
So Douglas bade, the hood and veil, 
And frontlet of the cloister pale, 

And Benedictine gown : 
It were unseemly sight, he said, 
A novice out of convent shade. — 
Now her bright locks, with sunny glow 
Again adorned her brow of snow ; 
Her mantle rich, whose borders, round, 
A deep and fretted broidery bound. 
In golden foldings sought the ground ; 
Of holy ornament, alone 
Remained a cross with ruby stone ; 

And often did she look 
On that which in her hand she bore 
With velvet bound, and broidered o'er, 

Her breviary book. 
In such a place, so lone, so grim. 
At dawning pale, or twilight dim, 

It fearful would have been. 
To meet a form so richly dressed. 
With book in hand, and cross on breast, 



176 . MARMION. 

And such a woeful mien. 
Fitz-Eustace, loitering with his bow, 
To practise on the gull and crow, 
Saw her, at distance gliding slow. 

And did by Mary swear, — 
Some love-lorn Fay she might have been, 
Or, in romance, some spell-bound queen; 
For ne'er, in work-day world, was seen 

A form so witching fair. 

IV. 

Once walking thus, at evening tide. 

It chanced a gliding sail she spied. 

And, sighing, thought — **The Abbess there 

Perchance, does to her home repair; 

Her peaceful rule, where Duty, free, 

Walks hand in hand with Charity; 

Where oft Devotion's tranced glow 

Can such a glimpse of heaven bestow, 

That the enraptured sisters see 

High vision, and deep mystery; 

The very form of Hilda fair. 

Hovering upon the sunny air. 

And smiling on her votaries* prayer. 

O ! wherefore to my duller eye. 

Did still the saint her form deny? 

Was it, that, seared by sinful scorn, 

My heart could neither melt nor burn? 

Or lie my warm affections low, 

With him that taught them first to glow? 

Yet, gentle Abbess, well I knew. 

To pay thy kindness grateful due. 

And well could brook the mild command 

That ruled thy simple maiden band. — 



MARMION. 177 

How different now! condemned to bide 

My doom from this dark tyrant's pride. — 

But Marmion has to learn, ere long, 

That constant mind, and hate of wrong, 

Descended to a feeble girl, 

From Red De Clare, stout Gloster's Earl: 

Of such a stem, a sapling weak. 

He ne'er shall bend, although he break. 



**But see! — what makes this armor here?" 

For in her path there lay 
Targe, corslet, helm: — she viewed them 

near. — 
**The breastplate pierced! — Ay, much I fear, 
Weak fence wert thou 'gainst foeman's spear, 
That hath made fatal entrance here, 

As these dark blood-gouts say. — 
Thus Wilton! — Oh! not corslet's ward. 
Not truth, as diamond pure and hard, 
Could be thy manly bosom's guard. 

On yon disastrous day!" — 
She raised her eyes in mournful mood, — 
Wilton himself before her stood ! 
It might have seemed his passing ghost, 
For every youthful grace was lost : 
And joy unwonted, and surprise. 
Give their strange wildness to his eyes.— 
Expect not, noble dames and lords, 
That I can tell such scene in words: 
What skilful limner e'er would choose 
To paint the rainbow's varying hues. 
Unless to mortal it were given 
To dip his brush in dyes of heaven? 

12 Marmion 



178 MARMION. 

Far less can my weak line declare 
Each changing passion's shade; 
Brightening to rapture from despair, 
Sorrow, surprise, and pity there, 
And joy, with her angelic air, 
And hope, that paints the future fair, 
Their varying hues displayed: 
Each o*er its rival's ground extending, 
Alternate conquering, shifting, blending, 
Till all, fatigued, the conflict yield. 
And mighty Love retains the field. 
Shortly I tell what then he said. 
By many a tender word delayed. 
And modest blush, and bursting sigh, 
And question kind, and fond reply. 

VI. 
DE WILTON's history. 

*' Forget we that disastrous day. 

When senseless in the lists I lay. 

Thence dragged, — but how I cannot know. 

For sense and recollection fled, — 
I found me on a pallet low. 
Within my ancient beadsman's shed. 

Austin, — remember *st thou, my Clare, 
How thou didst blush, when the old man, 
When first our infant love began. 

Said we would make a matchless pair? — 
Menials, and friends, and kinsmen fled 
From the degraded traitor's bed, — 
He only held my burning head. 
And tended me for many a day, 
While wounds and fever held their sway. 



MARMION. 179 

But far more needful was his care, 

When sense returned to wake despair; 
For I did tear the closing wound, 
And dash me frantic on the ground, 

If e*er I heard the name of Clare. 
At length, to calmer reason brought, 
Much by his kind attendance wrought, 

With him I left my native strand, 
And, in a Palmer's weeds arrayed, 
My hated name and form to shade, 

I journeyed many a land ; 
No more a lord of rank and birth. 
But mingled with the dregs of earth. 
Oft Austin for my reason feared, 

When I would sit, and deeply brood 

On dark revenge and deeds of blood, 
Or wild mad schemes upreared. 

My friend at length fell sick and said, 
God would remove him soon; 

And while upon his dying bed. 
He begged of me a boon — 

If e*er my deadliest enemy 

Beneath my brand should conquered lie, 

Even then my mercy should awake, 

And spare his life for Austin's sake. 

VII. 

'* Still restless as a second Cain, 

To Scotland next my route was ta'en. 

Full well the paths I knew ; 
Fame of my fate made various sound, 
That death in pilgrimage I found. 
That I had perished of my wound, — 

None cared w^hich tale was true : 



18a MARMION. 

And living eye could never guess 
De Wilton in his Palmer's dress; 

For now that sable slough is shed 

And trimmed my shaggy beard and head, 
I scarcely knew me in the glass. 
A chance most wondrous did provide, 
That I should be that Baron's guide — 

I will not name his name! — 
Vengeance to God alone belongs; 
But, when I think on all my wrongs, 

My blood is liquid flame! 
And ne'er the time shall I forget, 
When, in a Scottish hostel set. 

Dark looks we did exchange : 
What were his thoughts I cannot tell, 
But in my bosom mustered Hell 

Its plans of dark revenge. 

VIII. 

'*A word of vulgar augury, 

That broke from me, I scarce knew why, 

• Brought on a village tale: 

Which wrought upon his moody sprite, 

And sent him armed forth by night. 

I borrowed steed and mail, 
And weapons, from his sleeping band; 

And, passing from a postern door, 
We met, and 'countered, hand to hand, — 

He fell on Gifford moor. 
For the death-stroke my brand I drew, 
(O then my helmed head he knew, 
The Palmer's cowl was gone,) 
Then had three inches of my blade 
The heavy debt of vengeance paid, — 



MARMION. 181 

My hand the thought of Austin stayed ; 

I left him there alone: — 
O g6od old man ! even from the grave, 
Thy spirit could thy master save: 
If I had slain my foeman, ne'er 
Had Whitby's Abbess, in her fear. 
Given to my hand this packet dear, 
Of power to clear my injured fame. 
And vindicate De Wilton's name. — 
Perchance you heard the Abbess tell 
Of the strange pageantry of Hell, 

That broke our secret speech — 
It rose from the infernal shade, 
Or featly was some juggle played, 

A tale of peace to teach. 
Appeal to Heaven I judged was best, 
When my name came among the rest. 

IX. 

**Now here, within Tantallon Hold, 

To Douglas late my tale I told, 

To whom my house was known of old. 

Won by my proofs, his falchion bright 

This eve anew shall dub me knight. 

These were the arms that once did turn 

The tide of fight on Otterburne, 

And Harry Hotspur forced to yield. 

When the Dead Douglas won the field. 

These Angus gave — his armorer's care, 

Ere morn, shall every breach repair; 

For naught, he said, was in his halls, 

But ancient armor on the walls, 

And aged chargers in the stalls. 

And women, priests, and gray-haired men ; 



182 MARMION. 

The rest were all in Twisel-glen. 
And now I watch my armor here, 
By law of arms, till midnight's near; 
Then, once again a belted knight, 
Seek Surrey's camp with dawn of light 



**There soon again we meet, my Clare! 
This Baron means to guide thee there. 
Douglas reveres his king's command. 
Else v/ould he take thee from his band. 
And there thy kinsman, Surrey, too, 
Will give De Wilton justice due. 
Now meeter far for martial broil, 
Firmer my limbs, and strung by toil. 
Once more" — ''O, Wilton! must we then 
Risk new-found happiness again, 
Trust fate of arms once more? 
And is there not a humble glen. 
Where we, content and poor, 
Might build a cottage in the shade, 
A shepherd thou, and I to aid 

Thy task on dale and moor? — 
That reddening brow! — too well I know 
Not even thy Clare can peace bestow. 

While falsehood stains thy name: 
Go then to fight! Clare bids thee go! 
Clare can a warrior's feelings know, 

And weep a warrior's shame ; 
Can Red Earl Gilbert's spirit feel, 
Buckle the spurs upon thy heel. 
And belt thee with thy brand of steel. 
And send thee forth to fame!" 



MARMION. 183 

XI. 

That night, upon the rocks and bay, 
The midnight moonbeam slumbering lay, 
And poured its silver light, and pure, 
Through loop-hole, and through embrazure, 

Upon Tantallon tower and hall ; 
But chief where arched windows wide 
Illuminate the chapel's pride, 

The sober glances fall. 
Much was there need; though, seamed with 

scars 
Two veterans of the Douglas* wars, 

Though two gray priests were there, 
And each a blazing torch held high. 
You could not by their blaze descry 

The chapel's carving fair. 
Amid that dim and smoky light. 
Chequering the silvery moonshine bright, 

A bishop by the altar stood, 

A noble lord of Douglas blood. 
With mitre sheen, and rocquet white ; 
Yet showed his meek and thoughtful eye 
But little pride of prelacy: 
More pleased that, in a barbarous age. 
He gave rude Scotland Virgil's page. 
Than that beneath his rule he held 
The bishropic of fair Dunkeld. 
Beside him ancient Angus stood. 
Doffed his furred gown, and sable hood; 
O'er his huge form, and visage pale. 
He wore a cap and shirt of mail; 
And leaned his large and wrinkled hand 
Upon the huge and sweeping brand, 
Which wont, of yore, in battle-fray. 



184 MARMION. 

His foeman's limbs to shred away, 
As wood-knife lops the sapling spray. 
He seemed, as from the tombs around 

Rising at judgment-day, 
Some giant Douglas may be found 

In all his old array ; 
So pale his face, so huge his limb, 
So old his arms, his look so grim. 

XII. 

Then at the altar Wilton kneels, 
And Clare the spurs bound on his heels; 
And think what next he must have felt. 
At buckling of the falchion belt; 

And judge how Clara changed her hue, 
While fastening to her lover's side 
A friend, which, though in danger tried. 

He once had found untrue ! 
Then Douglas struck him with his blade: 
** Saint Michael and Saint Andrew aid, 

I dub thee knight. 
Arise Sir Ralph, De Wilton's heir! 
For king, for church, for lady fair, 

See that thou fight.''— 
And Bishop Gawain, as he rose. 
Said, — *' Wilton I grieve not for thy woes, 

Disgrace, and trouble, 
For He, who honor best bestows, 

May give thee double." — 
De Wilton sobbed, for sob he must — 
'^Where'er I meet a Douglas, trust 

That Douglas is my brother!" — 
**Nay, nay," old Angus said, '*not so 
To Surrey's camp thou now must go, 



MARMION. 185 

Thy wrongs no longer smother. 
I have two sons in 5^onder field; 
And, if thou meet'st them tinder shield, 
Upon them bravely-— do thy worst; 
And foul fall him that blenches first!'' 

XIII. 

Not far advanced was morning day, 
When Marmion did his troop array 

To Surrey's camp to ride; 
He had safe conduct for his band, 
Beneath the royal seal and hand. 

And Douglas gave a guide: 
The ancient Earl, with stately grace. 
Would Clara on her palfrey place, 
And whispered, in an under-tone, 
*'Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown." 
The train from out the castle drew ; 
But Marmion stopped to bid adieu: — 

''Though something I might plain," he 
said, 
'*Of cold respect to stranger guest, 
Sent hither by your king's behest, 

While in Tantallon's towers I stayed; 

Part we in friendship from your land. 

And, noble Earl, receive my hand." — 
But Douglas round him drew his cloak, 
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke : — 

''My manors, halls, and bowers, shall still 

Be open to my sovereign's will, 

To each one whom he lists, howe'er 

Unmeet to be the owner's peer, 

My castles are my king's alone, 

From turret to foundation-stone — 



186 MARMION. 

The hand of Douglas is his own; 
And never shall in friendly grasp 
The hand of such as Marmion clasp." — 

XIV. 

Burned Marmion *s swarthy cheek like fire, 
And shook his very frame for ire, 

And— **Thisto me!" he said,— 
**An 'twere not for thy hoary beard. 
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared 

To cleave the Douglas* head! 
And, first, I tell thee, haughty Peer, 
He, who does England's message here, 
Although the meanest in her state, 
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate: 
And, Douglas, more I tell thee here. 

Even in thy pitch of pride. 
Here in thy Hold, thy vassals near, 
(Nay, never look upon your lord. 
And lay your hands upon your sword,) 

I tell thee, thou 'rt defied! 
And if thou saidst, I am not peer 
To any lord in Scotland here, 
Lowland or Highland, far or near, 

Lord Angus, thou hast lied!" — 
On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage 
O'ercame the ashen hue of age: 
Fierce he broke forth: — **And darest thou then 
To beard the lion in his den. 

The Douglas in his hall ; 
And hopest thou hence unscathed to go? 
No, by Saint Bryde of Bothwell, no ! — 
Up drawbridge, grooms — what. Warder, ho! 

Let the portcullis fall. " 



MARMION. 187 

Lord Marmion turned, — well was his need, 
And dashed the rowels in his steed. 
Like arrow through the archway sprung, 
The ponderous gate behind him rung: 
To pass there was such scanty room, 
The bars, descending, razed his plume. 

XV. 

The steed along the drawbridge flies, 

Just as it trembled on the rise ; 

Not lighter does the swallow skim 

Along the smooth lake's level brim: 

And when Lord Marmion reached his band, 

He halts, and turns with clenched hand, 

And shout of loud defiance pours, 

And shook his gauntlet at the towers. 

** Horse! horse!'* the Douglas cried, "and 

chase!" 
But soon he reined his fury's pace: 
*' A royal messenger he came, 
Though most unworthy of the name. — 
A letter forged! Saint Jude to speed! 
Did ever knight so foul a deed ! 
At first in heart it liked me ill, 
When the King praised his clerkly skill. 
Thanks to Saint Bothan, son of mine, 
Save Gawain, ne'er could pen a line: 
So swore I, and I swear it still. 
Let my boy-bishop fret his fill. — 
Saint Mary mend my fiery mood ! 
Old age ne'er cools the Douglas blood, 
I thought to slay him where he stood. — 
'Tis pity of him, too," he cried; 
'*Bold can he speak, and fairly ride: 



188 MARMION. 

I warrant him a warrior tried/* — 
With this his mandate he recalls, 
And slowly seeks his castle halls. 

XVI. 

The day in Marmion's journey wore; 

Yet, ere his passion's gust was o'er. 

They crossed the heights of Stanrigg-moor. 

His troop more closely there he scanned, 

And missed the Palmer from the band. — 

"Palmer or not/* young Blount did say, 

**He parted at the peep of day: 

Good sooth, it was in strange array." 

"In what array?" said Marmion, quick. 

"My lord, I ill can spell the trick; 

But all night long, with clink and bang, 

Close to my couch did hammers clang ; 

At dawn the falling drawbridge rang, 

And from a loophole while 1 peep. 

Old Bell-the-Cat came from the Keep, 

Wrapped in a gown of sables fair, 

As fearful of the morning air; 

Beneath, when that was blown aside, 

A rusty shirt of mail I spied, 

By Archibald won in bloody work, 

Against the Saracen and Turk: 

Last night it hung not in the hall; 

I thought some marvel would befall. 

And next I saw them saddled lead 

Old Cheviot forth, the Earl's best steed; 

A matchless horse, though something old, 

Prompt to his paces, cool and bold. 

I heard the Sheriff Sholto say, 

The Earl did much the Master pray 



MARMION. 189 

To use him on the battle-day; 
But he preferred'* — *'Nay, Henry, cease! 
Thou sworn horse-courser, hold thy peace. — 
Eustace, thou bear'st a brain — I pray, 
What did Blount see at break of day?" 

XVII. 

In brief, my lord, we both descried 
(For I then stood by Henry's side) 
The Palmer mount and outward ride, 

Upon the Earl's own favorite steed; 
All sheathed he was in armor bright, 
And much resembled that same knight 
Subdued by you in Cotswold fight ; 

Lord Angus wished him speed.'* — 
The instant that Fitz- Eustace spoke, 
A sudden light on Marmion broke: — 
"'Ah! dastard fool, to reason lost!" 
He muttered: " 'Twas not fay nor ghost 
I met upon the moonlight wold, 
But living man of earthly mould. — 

O dotage blind and gross! 
Had I but fought as wont, one thrust 
Had laid De Wilton in the dust, 

My path no more to cross. — 
How stand we now? — he told his tale 
To Douglas; and with some avail; 

'Twas therefore gloomed his rugged brow. — 
Will Surrey dare to entertain, 
'Gainst Marmion, charge disproved and vain? 

Small risk of that I trow. — 
Yet Clare's sharp questions must I shun; 
Must separate Constance from the Nun — 
O what a tangled web we weave, 



190 MARMION. 

When first we practice to deceive! — 

A Palmer too ! — no wonder why 

I felt rebuked beneath his eye: 

I might have known there was but one, 

Whose look could quell Lord Marmion. ' ' — 

XVIII. 

Stung with these thoughts, he urged to speed 
His troop, and reached, at eve, the Tweed, 
Where Lennel's convent closed their march; 
(There now is left but one frail arch, 

Yet mourn thou not its cells; 
Our time a fair exchange has made; 
Hard by, in hospitable shade, 

A reverend pilgrim dwells. 
Well worth the whole Bernardine brood, 
That e'er wore sandal, frock, or hood.) 
Yet did Saint Bernard's Abbot there 
Give Marmion entertainment fair, 
And lodging for his train, and Clare. 
Next morn the Baron climbed the tower, 
To view afar the Scottish power. 

Encamped on Flodden edge : 
The white pavilions made a show, 
Like remnants of the winter snow. 

Along the dusky ridge. 
Long Marmion looked: — at length his eye 
Unusual movement might descry. 

Amid the shifting lines: 
The Scottish host drawn out appears. 
For, flashing on the edge of spears 

The eastern sunbeam shines. 
Their front now deepening, now extending; 
Their flank inclining, wheeling, bending, 



M ARM ION. 191 

Now drawing back, and now descending, 
The skilful Marmion well could know, 
They watched the motions of some foe, 
Who traversed on the plain below. 

XIX. 

E'en so it was: — from Flodden ridge 

The Scots beheld the English host 

Leave Barmore-wood, their evening post, 

And heedful watched them as they crossed 
The Till by Twisel-bridge. 

High sight it is, and haughty, while 

They dive into the deep defile; 

Beneath the caverned cliff they fall, 

Beneath the castle's airy wall. 
By rock, by oak, by hawthorn-tree. 
Troop after troop are disappearing; 
Troop after troop their banners rearing, 
Upon the eastern bank you see. 
Still pouring down the rocky den, 

Where flows the sullen Till, 
And rising from the dim-wood glen. 
Standards on standards, men on men, 

In slow succession still, 
And sweeping o'er the Gothic arch, 
And pressing on, in ceaseless march. 

To gain the opposing hill. 
That morn, to many a trumpet-clang, 
Twisel! thy rock's deep echo rang; 
And many a chief of birth and rank. 
Saint Helen! at thy fountain drank. 
Thy hawthorne glade, which now we see 
In spring-tide bloom so lavishly. 



192 MARMION. 

Had then from many an axe its doom, 
To give the marching columns room. 

XX. 

And why stands Scotland idly now, 
Dark Flodden! On thy airy brow, 
Since England gains the pass the while. 
And struggles through the deep defile? 
What checks the fiery soul of James? 
Why sits that champion of the dames 

Inactive on his steed, 
And sees, between him and his land, 
Between him and Tweed's southern strand. 

His host Lord Surrey lead? 
What Vails the vain knight-errant's brand? - 
O, Douglas, for thy leading wand ! 

Fierce Randolph, for thy speed! 
O for one hour of Wallace wight, 
Or well-skilled Bruce, to rule the fight. 
And cry — '* Saint Andrew and our right!*' 
Another sight had seen that morn, 
From Fate's dark book a leaf been torn, 
And Flodden had been Bannock-bourne! — 
The precious hour has passed in vain. 
And England's host has gained the plain; 
Wheeling their march, and circling still, 
Around the base of Flodden-hill. 

XXI. 

Ere yet the bands met Marmion's eye, 
Fitz-Eustace shouted loud and high, — 
•'Hark! hark! my lord, an English drum! 
And see ascending squadrons come 
Between Tweed's river and the hill, 



MARMION. 193 

Foot, horse, and cannon : — hap what hap. 
My basnet to a 'prentice cap, 

Lord Surrey's o*er the Till! — 
Yet more ! yet more ! — how fair arrayed 
They file from out the hawthorne shade, 

And sweep so gallant by ! 
With all their banners bravely spread. 

And all their armor flashing high, 
Saint George might waken from the dead, 

To see fair England^s standards fly." — 
'* Stint in thy prate," quoth Blount; *'thou'dst 

best, 
And listen to our Lord's behest." — 
With kindling brow Lord Marmion said, — 
'*This instant be our band arrayed; 
The river must be quickly crossed. 
That we may join Lord Surrey's host. 
If fight King James, — as well I trust. 
That fight he will, and fight he must, — 
The Lady Clare behind our lines 
Shall tarry, while the battle joins." — 

XXII. 

Himself he swift on horseback threw, 

Scarce to the Abbot bade adieu : 
Far less would listen to his prayer, 
To leave behind the helpless Clare. 

Down to the Tweed his band he drew. 

And muttered, as the flood they view, 
**The pheasant in the falcon's claw. 
He scarce will yield to please a daw; 

Lord Angus may the Abbot awe. 
So Clare shall bide with me." 

Then on that dangerous ford, and deep, 

13 Marmioa « 



194 MARMION. 

Where to the Tweed Leat's eddies creep, 

He ventured desperately ; 
And not a moment will he bide, 
Till squire or groom, before him ride; 
Headmost of all he stems the tide, 

And stems it gallantly. 
Eustace held Clare upon her horse. 

Old Hubert led her rein, 
Stoutly they braved the current's course, 
And, though far downward driven per force, 

The southern bank they gain; 
Behind them, straggling, came to shore, 

As best they might, the train : 
Each o'er his head his yew-bow bore, 

A caution not in vain ; 
Deep need that day that every string. 
By wet unharmed, should sharply ring. 
A moment then Lord Marmion stayed, 
And breathed his steed, his men arrayed, 

Then forward moved his band. 
Until, Lord Surrey's rear-guard won, 
He halted by a cross of stone. 
That, on a hillock standing lone. 

Did all the field command. 

XXIII. 

Hence might they see the full array 

Of either host, for deadly fray, 

Their marshalled lines stretched east and west, 

And fronted north and south, 
And distant salutation passed 

From the loud cannon mouth ; 
Not in the close successive rattle, 
That breathes the voice of modern battle. 



MARMION. 195 

But slow and far between. — 
The hillock gained. Lord Marmion stayed: 
**Here, by this cross/' he gently said, 

**You well may view the scene. 
Here shalt thou tarry, lovely Clare, 
O! think of Marmion in thy prayer. — 
Thou wilt not? — well, — no less my care 
Shall, watchful, for thy weal prepare. — 
You, Blount and Eustace, are her guard, 

With ten picked archers of my train ; 
With England if the day go hard, 

To Berwick speed amain. — 
But, if we conquer, cruel maid ! 
My spoils shall at your feet be laid, 

When here we meet again.'* 
He waited not for answer there. 
And would not mark the maid's despair. 

Nor heed the discontented look 
From either squire ; but spurred amain, 
And, dashing through the battle-plain, 

His way to Surrey took. 

XXIV. 

** The good Lord Marmion, by my life 

Welcome to danger's hour! — 
Short greeting serves in time of strife • — 

Thus have I ranged my power: 
Myself will rule this central host, 

Stout Stanley fronts their right, 
My sons command the vaward post. 

With Brian Tunstall, stainless knight; 

Lord Darec, with his horsemen light, 

Shall be in rearward of the fight, 
And succor those that need it most. 



195 MARMION. 

Now, gallant Marmion, well I know, 

Would gladly to the vanguard go : 
Edmund, the Admiral, Tunstall there, 
With thee their charge will blithely share; 
There fight thine own retainers too, 
Beneath De Burg, thy steward true. ' * — 
''Thanks, noble Surrey!*' Marmion said, 
Nor further greeting there he paid ; 
But, parting like a thunderbolt, 
P'irst in the vanguard made a halt. 

Where such a shout there rose 
Of *' Marmion! Marmion!'* that the cry 
Up Flodden mountain shrilling high, 

Startled the Scottish foes. 

XXV. 

Blount and Fitz-Eustace rested still 
With Lady Clare upon the hill ; 
On which (for far the day was spent) 
The western sunbeams now were bent. 
The cry they heard, its meaning knew. 
Could plain their distant comrades view. 
Sadly to Blount did Eustace say, 
''Unworthy office here to stay! 
No hope of glided spurs to-day. — 
But, see! look up — on Flodden bent. 
The Scottish foe has fired his tent" 

And sudden, as he spoke, 
From the sharp ridges of the hill, 
All downward to the banks of Till ; 

Was 'wreathed in sable smoke; 
Volumed and vast, and rolling far 
The cloud enveloped Scotland's war, 

As down the hill they broke ; 



MARMION. 197 

Nor martial shout, nor minstrel tone, 
Announced their march ; their tread alone 
At times one warning trumpet blown, 

At times a stifled hum. 
Told England, from his mountain-throne 

King James did rushing come. — 
Scarce could they hear, or see their foes, 
Until at weapon-point they close. — ' 

They close, in clouds of smoke and dust. 
With sword-sway, and with lance*s thrust; 

And such a yell was there, 
Of sudden and portentous birth, 
As if men fought upon the earth. 

And fiends in upper air. v 

Long looked the anxious squires; their eye f 
Could in the darkness nought descry. 

XXVI. 

At length the freshening western blast 

Aside the shroud of battle cast; 

And, first, the ridge of mingled spears 

Above the brightening cloud appears; 

And in the smoke the pennons flew, V 

As in the storm the white sea-mew. 

Then marked they, dashing broad and far, 

The broken billows of the war, 

And plumed crests of chieftains brave. 

Floating like foam upon the wave; 

But nought distinct they see: 
Wide raged the battle on the plain ; 
Spears shook, and falchions flashed amain; 
Fell England's arrow-flight like rain; 
Crests rose, and stooped, and rose again, 

Wild and disorderly. 



198 MARMION. 

Amid the scene of tumult, high 
They saw Lord Marmion*s falcon fly: 
And stainless Tunstall's banner white, 
And Edmund Howard's lion bright, 
Still bear them bravely in the fight ; 

Although against them come, 
Of gallant Gordons many a one, 
And many a stubborn Highlandman, 
And many a rugged Border clan. 

With Huntley, and with Home. 

XXVII. 

Far on the left, unseen the while, 
Stanley broke Lennox and Argyle ; 
Though there the western mountaineer 
Rushed with bare bosom on the spear. 
And flung the feeble targe aside. 
And with both hands the broadsword plied: 
*Twas vain. — But Fortune, on the right, 
With fickle smile, cheered Scotland's fight. 
Then fell that spotless banner white. 

The Howard's lion fell; 
Yet still Lord Marmion's falcon flew 
With wavering flight, while fiercer grew 

Around the battle-yell. 
The Border slogan rent the sky: 
A Home! a Gordon! was the cry; 

Loud were the clanging blows; 
Advanced, — forced back, — now low, now high, 

The pennon sunk and rose; 
As bends the bark's mast in the gale, 
When rent are rigging, shrouds, and sail, 

It wavered 'mid the foes. 
No longer Blount the view could bear: — 



MARMION. 199 

'*By heaven, and all its saints! I swear, 

I will not see it lost ! 
Fitz-Eustace, you with Lady Clare 
May bid your beads, and patter prayer, — 

I gallop to the host. * * 
And to the fray he rode amain, 
Followed by all the archer train. 
The fiery youth, with desperate charge, 
Made, for a space, an opening large,— 

The rescued banner rose, — 
But darkly closed the war around. 
Like pine-tree, rooted from the ground. 

It sunk among the foes. 
Then Eustace mounted too; — yet stayed, 
As loath to leave the helpless maid, 

When, fast as shaft can fly, 
Blood-shot his eyes, his nostrils spread. 
The loose rein dangling from his head, 
Housing and saddle bloody red, 

Lord Marmion's steed rushed by; 
And Eustace, maddening at the sight, 

A look and sign to Clara cast. 

To mark he would return in haste. 
Then plunged into the fight. 

XXVIII. 

Ask me not what the maiden feels. 

Left in that dreadful hour alone : 
Perchance her reason stoops, or reels ; 
Perchance a courage, not her own, 

Braces her mind to desperate tone. — 
The scattered van of England wheels ; — 

She only said, as loud in air 

The tumult roared, **Is Wilton there?" 



200 MARMION. 

Then fly, or, maddened by despair. 

Fight but to die.— **Is Wilton there?'* 
With that, straight tip the hill there rode 

Two horsemen drenched with gore, 
And in their arms, a helpless load, 

A wounded knight they bore. 
His hand still strained the broken brand-, 
His arms were smeared with blood and sand. 
Dragged from among the horses* feet, 
With dinted shield, and helmet beat, ; 

The falcon-crest and plumage gone, * 

Can that be haughty Marmion! .... 
Young Blount his armor did unlace. 
And, gazing on his ghastly face, 

Said, — "By Saint George, he's gone! 
That spear- wound has our master sped. 
And see the deep cut on his head ! 

Good-night to Marmion. ' * — 
** Unnurtured Blount! — thy brawling cease: 
He opes his eyes, *' said Eustace; ** peace!" — 

XXIX, 

When, doffed his casque, he felt free air, 
Around 'gan Marmion wildly stare : — 
**Where's Harry Blount? Fitz-Eustace where? 
Linger ye here, ye hearts of hare ! 
Redeem my pennon, — charge again; 
Cry — 'Marmion to the rescue!' — Vain! 
Last of my race, on battle-plain 
That shout shall ne'er be heard again! — 
Yet my last thought is England's: — fly, 

To Dacre bear my signet-ring; 

Tell him his squadrons up to bring. — 
Fitz-Eustace, to Lord Surrey hie: 



MARMION. 201 

Tunstall lies dead upon the field ; 

His life-blood stains the spotless shield: 

Edmund is down ; — my life is reft ; — 

The Admiral alone is left. 

Let Stanley charge with spur of fire, — 

With Chester charge, and Lancashire, 

Full upon Scotland's central host, 

Or victory and England's lost. — 

Must I bid twice? — hence, varlets! fly! 

Leave Marmion here alone — to die." — 

They parted, and alone he lay; 

Clare drew her from the sight away, 

Till pain wrung forth a lowly moan, 

And half he murmured, — '*Is there none. 

Of all my halls have nursed, 
Page, squire, or groom, one cup to bring 
Of blessed water from the spring. 

To slake my dying thirst!" — 

XXX. 

O, woman! in our hours of ease. 

Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, 

And variable as the shade 

By the light quivering aspen made ; 

When pain and anguish wring the brow 

A ministering angel thou ! — 

Scarce were the piteous accents said, 

When, with the Baron's casque, the maid 

To the nigh streamlet ran : 
Forgot were hatred, wrongs, and fears; 
The plaintive voice alone she hears. 

Sees but the dying man. 
She stooped her by the runnel's side. 

But in abhorrence backward drew. 



202 MARMION. 

For, oozing from the mountain's side, 
Where raged the war, a dark red tide 

Was curdling in the streamlet blue. 
Where shall she turn! — behold her mark 

A little fountain cell, 
Where water, clear as diamond-spark, 

In a stone basin fell. 
Above, some half-worn letters say, 
'* Drink, weary pilgrim, drink and pray 
For the find soul of Sybil Gray, 

Who built this cross and well. '* 
She filled the helm, and back she hied, 
And with surprise and joy espied 

A Monk supporting Marmion's head; 
A pious man, whom duty brought 
To dubious verge of battle fought. 

To shrive the dying, bless the dead. 

XXXI. 

Deep drank Lord Marmion of the wave, 
And as she stooped his brow to lave — 
**Is it the hand of Clare,** he said, 
'*Or injured Constance, bathes my head?" 

Then, as remembrance rose, — 
' * Speak not to me of shrift or prayer ! 

I must redress her woes. 
Short space, few words, are mine to spare; 
Forgive and listen, gentle Clare!" 

**Alas!" she said, '*the while,— 
O think of your immortal weal! 
In vain for Constance is your zeal; 

She died at Holy Isle."— 

Lorn Marmion started from the ground; 
As light as if he felt no wound; 



MARMION. 203 

Though in the action burst the tide, 
In torrents from his wounded side. 
**Then it was truth!** — he said — *'I knew 
That the dark presage must be true — 
I would the Fiend, to whom belongs 
The vengeance due to all her wrongs, 

Would spare me but a day ! 
For wasting fire, and dying groan, 
And priests slain on the altar-stone, 
Might bribe him for delay. 
It may not be! — this dizzy trance — 
Curse on yon base marauder's lance, 
And doubly cursed my failing brand! 
A sinful heart makes feeble hand." — 
Then, fainting, down on earth he sunk, 
Supported by the trembling Monk. 

XXXII. 

With fruitless labor, Clara bound 

And strove to stanch the gushing wound, 

The Monk, with unavailing cares. 

Exhausted all the Church's prayers; 

Ever, he said, that, close and near, 

A lady's voice was in his ear; 

And that the priest he could not hear, 

For that she ever sung, 
**In the lost battle, borne down by the flying, 
Where mingles war's rattle with groans of the 
dying!" 

So the notes rung; 
** Avoid thee, Fiend! — with cruel hand, 
Shake not the dying sinner's sand! — 
O look, my son, upon yon sign 
Of the Redeemer's grace divine; 



204 MARMION. 

O think on faith and bliss ! — 
By many a death-bed I have been. 
And many a sinner's parting seen, 

But never aught like this. " — 
The war, that for a space did fail, 
Now trebly thundering swelled the gale. 

And — Stanley! was the cry: — 
A light on Marmion*s visage spread, 

And fired his glazing eye : 
With dying hand, above his head 
He shook the fragment of his blade, 

And shouted *' Victory! — 
Charge, Chester, charge! On, Stanley, on!" 
Were the last words of Marmion. 

XXXIII. 

By this, though deep the evening fell, 
Still rose the battle's deadly swell; 
For still the Scots, around their king, 
Unbroken, fought in desperate ring. 
Where's now their victor vanward wing. 

Where Huntley, and where Home? — 
O for a blast of that dread horn, 
On Fontarabian echoes born. 

That to King Charles did come, 
When Rowland brave, and Oliver, 
And every paladin and peer, 

On Roncesvalles died ! 
Such blast might warn them, not in vain, 
To quit the plunder of the slain, 
And turn the doubtful day again. 

While yet on Flodden side. 
Afar, the Royal Standard flies. 
And round it toils and bleeds and dies. 



MARMION. 20S 

Our Caledonian pride ! 
In vain the wish — for far away, 
While spoil and havoc mark their way, 
Near Sybil's Cross the plunderers stray. — 
•*0 Lady," cried the Monk, **away!'*— 

And placed her on her steed ; 
And led her to the chapel fair, 

Of Tilmouth upon Tweed. 
There all the night they spent in prayer, 
And, at the dawn of morning, there 
She met her kinsman. Lord Fitz-Clare. 

xxxiv. 

But as they left the darkening heath, 
More desperate grew the strife of death. 
The English shafts in volleys hailed. 
In headlong charge their horse assailed : 
Front, flank, and rear, the squadrons sweep, 
To break the Scottish circle deep, 

That fought around their king. 
But yet, though thick the shafts as snow. 
Though charging knights like whirlwinds go. 
Though bill-men ply the ghastly blow, 

Unbroken was the ring; 
The stubborn spearmen still made good 
Their dark impenetrable wood, 
Each stepping where his comrade stood. 

The instant that he fell. 
No thought was there of dastard flight; 
Linked in the serried phalanx tight, 
Groom fought like noble, squire like knight, 

As fearlessly and well ; 
Till utter darkness closed her wing 
O'er their thin host and wounded king. 



206 MARMION. 

Then skilful Surrey *s sage commands 
Led back from strife his shattered bands; 

And from the charge they drew, 
As mountain-waves, from wasted lands, 

Sweep back to ocean blue. 
Then did their loss his f oemen know ; 
Their king, their lords, their mightiest low. 
They melted from the field as snow. 
When streams are swoln, and south winds blow, 

Dissolves in silent dew, 
Tweed's echoes heard the ceaseless plash. 

While many a broken band, 
Disordered, through her currents dash. 

To gain the Scottish land; '. 

To town and tower, to down and dale. 
To tell red Flodden's dismal tale. 
And raise the universal wail. 
Tradition, legend, tune, and song. 
Shall many an age that wail prolong: 
Still from the sire the son shall hear 
Of the stern strife, and carnage drear. 

Of Flodden's fatal field. 
Where shivered was fair Scotland's spear, 

And broken was her shield. 

XXXV. 

Day dawns upon the mountain's side: — 
There, Scotland ! lay thy bravest pride. 
Chiefs, knights, and nobles, many a one; 
The sad survivors all are gone. — 
View not that corpse mistrustfully, 
Defaced and mangled though it be ; 
Nor to yon Border castle high 
Look northward with upbraiding eye ; 



MARxMION. 207 

Nor cherish hope in vain, 
That, journeying far on foreign strand, 
The Royal Pilgrim to his land 

Alay yet return again. 
He saw the wreck his rashness wrought; 
Reckless of life, he desperate fought, 

And fell on Flodden plain: 
And well in death his trusty brand, 
Firm clenched within his manly hand. 

Beseemed the monarch slain. 
But, O! how changed since yon blithe night !-^ 
Gladly I turn me from the sight, 

Unto my tale again. 

XXXVI. 

Short is my tale: — Fitz- Eustace care 

A pierced and mangled body bare 

To moated Lichfield's lofty pile; 

And there, beneath the southern aisle, 

A tomb, with Gothic sculpture fair, 

Did long Lord Marmion*s image bear. 

(Now vainly for its site you look ; 

'Twas leveled, when fanatic Brook 

The fair cathedral stormed and took ; 

But, thanks to heaven and good Saint Chad, 

A guerdon meet the spoiler had!) 

There erst was martial Marmion found, 

His feet upon a couchant hound, 

His hands to heaven upraised ; 
And all around, on scutcheon rich, 
And tablet carved, and fretted niche. 

His arms and feats were blazed. 
And yet, though all was carved so fair. 
And priests for Marmion breathed the prayer, 



208 MARMION. 

The last Lord Marmion lay not there. 
Prom Ettricke woods, a peasant swain 
Followed his lord to Flodden plain. — 
One of those flowers, whom plaintive lay 
In Scotland mourns as **wede away:" 
Sore wounded, Sybil's Cross he spied. 
And dragged him to its foot, and died. 
Close by the noble Marmion's side. 
The spoilers stripped and gashed the slain, 
And thus their corpses were mistaken; 
And thus, in the proud Baron's tomb, 
The lowly woodsman took the room. 

XXXVII. 

Less easy task it were, to show 
Lord Marmion 's nameless grave and low. 
They dug his grave e'en where he lay. 

But every mark is gone ; 
Time's wasting hand has done away 
The simple Cross of Sybil ray. 
And broke her font of stone : 
But yet from out the little hill 
Oozes the slender springlet still. 

Oft halts the stranger there, 
For thence may best his curious eye 
The memorable field descry; 
And shepherd boys repair 
To seek the waterflag and rush 
And rest them by the hazel bush, 

And plait their garlands fair. 
Nor dream they sit upon the grave, 
That holds the bones of Marmion brave. — 
When thou shalt find the little hill, 
With thy heart commune, and be still. 



MARMION. 209 

If ever, in temptation strong, 

Thou leftest the right path for the wrong; 

If every devious step, thus trode, 

Still led the farther from the road: 

Dread thou to speak presumptuous doom, 

On noble Marmion's lowly tomb; 

But say, **He died a gallant knight. 

With sword in hand, for England's right." 

XXXVIII. 

I do not rhyme to that dull elf. 

Who cannot image to himself. 

That all through Flodden's dismal night, 

Wilton was foremost in the fight ; 

That, when brave Surrey's steed was slain, 

'Twas Wilton mounted him again; 

'Twas Wilton's brand that deepest hewed, 

Amid the spearmen's stubborn wood: 

Unnamed by Hollinshed or Hall, 

He was the living soul of all ; 

That, after fight, his faith made plain 

He won his rank and lands again ; 

And charged his old paternal shield 

With bearings won on Flodden field. — 

Nor sing I to that simple maid. 

To whom it must in terms be said, 

That king and kinsmen did agree 

To bless fair Clara's constancy; 

Who cannot, unless I relate. 

Paint to her mind the bridal's state; 

That Wolsey's voice the blessing spoke; 

More, Sands, and Denny, passed the joke ; 

That bluff King Hal the curtain drew. 

And Catherine's hand the stocking threw; 

14 Marmion 



210 MARMION. 

And afterward, for many a day, 

That it was held enough to say, 

In blessing to a wedded pair, 

•'Love they like Wilton and like Clare!" 

L'ENVOY. 

TO THE READER. 

Why then a final note prolong, 

Or lengthen out a closing song, 

Unless to bid the gentles speed, 

Who long have listed to my rede? 

To Statesmen grave, if such may deign 

The read the MinstreVs idle strain, 

Sound head, clean hand, and piercing wit, 

And patriotic heart — as Pitt ! 

A garland for the hero's crest, 

And twined by her he loves the best; 

To every lovely lady bright, 

What can I wish but faithful knight? 

To every faithful lover, too. 

What can I wish but lady true? 

And knowledge to the studious sage ; 

And pillow soft to head of age. 

To thee, dear school-boy, whom my lay 

Has cheated of thy hour of play, 

Light task, and merry holiday ! 

To all, to each, a fair good-night, 

And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light! 



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32. Dolly Dialogues Hope 

33. Dream Life Mitchell 

34. Drummond's Addresses 

Drummond 

37. Emerson's Essays, Vol. 1 
Emerson 

38. Emerson's Essays, Vol. 2 
Emerson 

39. Ethics of the Dust Ruskin 

40. Evangeline Longfellow 

43. Flower Fables Alcott 

46. Gold Dust Yonge 

49. Heroes and Hero Worship, Carlyle 

50. Hiawatha Longfellow 

51. House of Seven Gables 

Hawthorne 

52. House of the Wolf Weyman 

57. Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow 

Jerome 

68. Idylls of the King Tennyson 

59. Imitation of Christ 
Thos. a'Kempis 

60. In Memoriam Tennyson 

64. John Halifax Mulock 

67. Kept for the Master's Use 

o Havergal 

68. Kidnapped Stevenson 

69. King of the Golden River.. Ruskin 

73. Laddie 

74. Lady of the Lake Scott 

75. Lalla Rookh , Moore 

76. Let Us Follow Him.. .Sienkiewicz 

77. Light of Asia Arnold 



78. Light That Failed. .. .Kipling 

79. Locksley Hall Tennyson 

80. Longfellow's Poems 

Longfellow 

81. Lorna Doone Blackmore 

82. Lowell's Poems Lowell 

83. Lucile Meredith 

88. Marmion Scott 

89. Mosses from an Old Manse 

Hawthorne 

93. Natural Law in the Spiritual 

World Drummond 

94. Now or Never Optic 

97. Paradise Lost Milton 

98. Paul and Virginia 

Saint Pierre 

99. Pilgrim's Progress Bunyan 

100. Plain Tales from the Hills 

Kipling 

101. Pleasures of Life Lubbock 

102. Prince of the House of David 

Ingraham 

103. Princess Tennyson 

104. Prue and I Curtis 

107. Queen of the Air Ruskin 

110. Rab and His Friends. . .Brown 

111. Representative Men . . Emerson 

112. Reveries of a Bachelor 

Mitchell 

113. Rollo in Geneva Abbott 

114. Rollo in Holland Abbott 

115. Rollo in London Abbott 

118. Rollo in Naples Abbott 

117. Rollo in Paris Abbott 

118. Rollo in Rome Abbott 

119. Rollo in Scotland Abbott 

120. Rollo in Switzerland. . .Abbott 

121. Rollo on the Atlantic... Abbott 

122. Rollo on the Rhine Abbott 

123. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam 

Fitzgerald 

128. Sartor Resartus Carlyle 

129. Scarlet Letter Hawthorne 

180 Sesame and Lilies Ruskin 

131. Sign of the Four Doyle 

132. Sketch Book Irving 

133. Stickit Minister Crockett 

140. Tales from Shakespeare 

C. and Mary Lamb 

141. Tanglewood Tales. . Hawthorne 

142. True and Beautiful Ruskin 

143. Three Men in a Boat. .Jerome 

144. Through the Looking Glass 

Carroll 

145. Treasure Island Stevenson 

146. Twice Told Tales. .Hawthorne 

150. Uncle Tom's Cabin Stowe 

154. Vicar of Wakefield..Goldsmith 

158. Whittier's Poems Whittier 

159. Wide, Wide World . . . .Warner 

160. Window in Thrums Barrie 

161. Wonder Book Hawthorne 



W. fi. GoNKEY GopiPBiirii Pdbughtions 

COMPLETE LIST OF THE POETIC AND PROSE 

WORKS OF 

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 



POEMS OF PASSION. 12mo. cloth, $1.00. Presentation 
Edition — white vellum, gold top, $1.50. Presentation 
Edition — half calf, gold top, $2.50. 

POEMS OF PASSION. Quarto, cloth. Illustrated 
Edition. $1.50. 

POEMS OF PASSION. Pocket Edition, Illustrated— 16mo. 

cloth, 75 cents; full morocco, gold edges, $2.50. 

Human nature is less of a mystery after the reading of this book. 

*'Only a woman of genius could produce such a remarkable 
work," ^Illustrated London News. 

MAURINE AND OTHER POEMS. 12mo. cloth, $1.00. 
Presentation Edition— white vellum, gold top, $1.50. 
Presentation Edition — half calf, gold top, $2.50- 
Beautiful thoughts and healthy inspiration in every line. 
"Maurine is an ideal poem about a perfect woman."— T/ie South, 

POEMS OF PLEASURE. 12mo, cloth, $1.00. Presenta- 
tion Edition — white vellum, gold top, $1.50. Presenta- 
tion Edition — half calf, gold top, $2.50. 
These poems make life doubly sweet and cheerful. 
"Mrs. Wilcox is an artist with a touch that reminds one of 

Lord Byron's impassionate strains. "—Paris Register. 

THREE WOMEN. 12mo, cloth, $1,00. Presentation 
Edition — art binding, gold top, boxed, $1.50. 

Her latest and greatest poem. This marvelous narrative of 
thrilling interest depicts the lives of three good and beautiful 
women in every phase of weakness^ passion^ pride., love^ sympathy 
and tenderness. 

AN AMBITIOUS MAN. (Prose.) l2mo, cloth. $1.00. 

* 'Vivid realism stands forth from every page of this fascinating 
hook."— Every Day. 



WORKS OF ELLA WHEELER W ILCOX (Continued) 

HOW SALVATOR WON AND OTHER POEMS. 12mo, 

cloth, $1.00. Presentation Edition — white vellum, gold 
top, $1.50. Presentation Edition — half calf, gold top, 
$2.50. 

A choice collection of recitations, specially compiled for read- 
ers and impersonators. 

"Her name is a household word. Hergreat power lies in depict- 
ing human emotions ; and in handling that grandest of all passions 
—love— she wields the pen of a master."— T/ie Saturday Record, 

CUSTER AND OTHER POEMS. Handsomely illustrated. 
12mo, cloth, $1.00. Presentation Edition — white vellum, 
gold top, $1.50. Presentation Edition— half calf, gold 
top. $2.50. 

A grand epic of the exploits and massacre of the immortal 
Custer. 

"One cannot help gaining new impetus for the spiritual exist- 
ence from coming in contact, mentally, with such ideal sentiments 
and emotions as this rarely gifted poetess voices in magnificent 
^erse." — Universal Truth. 

AN ERRING WOMAN'S LOVE. 12mo, cloth, $1.00. 
Presentation Edition — white vellum, gold top, $1.50. 
Presentation Edition — half calf, gold top. $2.50. 

"Power and pathos characterize this magnificent poem. A 
deep understanding of life and an intense sympathy are beauti- 
fully expressed."- rri6wne. 

MEN, WOBIEN AND EMOTIONS. (Prose.) 12mo, heavy 
enameled paper cover, 50 cents; English cloth, $1.00. 
A skillful analysis of social habits, customs and follies. 
**Her fame has reached all parts of the world, and her popular- 
ity seems to grow with each succeeding year.'* — American Newsman. 

THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF NOD. (Poems, songs and 

stories.) With over sixty original illustrations. Quarto, 

cloth, $1.00. 

The delight of the nursery. A charming mother's book. 

"The foremost baby's book of the world."— iViezi? Orleri^ 
Picayune. 

PRESENTATION SETS. Poems of Passion, Maurine, 
Poems of Pleasure, How Salvator Won, and Custer, are 
supplied in sets of 3, 4, or 5 titles, as may be desired, in 
neat boxes, without extra charge. 

ELLA WHEELER WILCOX'S WORKS are for sale by leading book- 
sellers everywhere, or will be sent postpaid on receipt of price by 
the Publishers. 

W. B. CONKEY COMPANY, Chicago 



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